We could hardly delay for one from across the Atlantic, and embraced the first opportunity to learn the art of riding. While learning, with bruised elbows and scraped knees, with the bicycle more of the time on us than we on it, we felt how usefully we could employ a few hints of instruction, and how invaluable we should find some little book that would tell us all about the machine.
After we were somewhat proficient, we were amazed that we had not learned before, and saw how easily we could have done so, if we had only been a little informed of the method of procedure.
When we proposed purchasing, we were all adrift, as likely to buy a poor machine as a good one, and anxiously scanned the papers, and inquired of friends concerning the merits and demerits of each patent and make.
So far as we can learn, there has been no book written upon the Velocipede, either abroad or in this country.
It is the design of this little work, not only to give a few simple directions to guide the beginner, but to give the history of the machine from its first origin, to treat accurately and impartially of the strength, lightness, superiority, and inferiority of each important machine and patent, and to collect such facts, statistics, and items, as may be of use and information to any one interested in the subject.
We think it an invention which will not have an ephemeral popularity, but which will, in its way, revolutionize travel for all time. We love the velocipede, and can truly quote, “Amor jussit scribere.”
We wish to thank the various manufacturers for their kindness in giving us information, and to acknowledge our indebtedness to various newspapers that have fallen in our way, to the “Scientific American,” to the “Galaxy,” and to the “Velocipedist,” and its genial and accomplished young editor.
Cambridge, March 20, 1869.