The Complete Cyclist, Vol. V., "Isthmian Library" (A. D. lanes
and Co.) ; and Lady Cycling, by Miss T. J. Erskine (Walter Scott and Co.)—These two volumes form very practical additions to the rapidly growing literature of cycling. Miss Erskine for a long time conducted a " ladies' page" in the official gazette of the Cyclists' Touring Club. It would therefore be hardly fair to blame her if the advice given in her present volume seems a little familiar. There is, in fact, nothing new to be said about cycling for women, to whom most of the advice given to men is absolutely applicable. However, there are still numbers of women taking to cycling every day, who, no doubt, appreciate having a new text- book brought out specially for their use. The Complete Cyclist takes, of course, a wider view of the subject. The two chapters on the choice of a machine and the chapter on taking care of it when bought, deserve to be studied very carefully by ordinary riders. The look of their bicycles, if by any chance they should not only read, but carry out the precepts inculcated, will amply repay them. The chapter on touring is also very useful, but it is a curious thing that no book on cycling has ever yet given a hint which the present writer has found absolutely invaluable when riding long distances. This is always to force oneself to ride extremely slowly for the first twenty miles, and to walk up every hill, however small, which may be met with during this time of enforced slowness. Of course this advice is only intended for riders who want to get to their journey's end as fresh as possible, not for record-breakers. The little black silhouettes at the beginning and end of each chapter are exceedingly fanny ; it is a pity the name of the artist has been withheld.
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