5 APRIL 1902, Page 14

THE USE OF THE BICYCLE IN THE ARMY.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

Sin,—A propos of " Linesman's " recent plea for the use of the bicycle in the Army, it is interesting to note that Keats in 1819 contemplates such a contingency. "The nothing of the day," he writes to his brother George, "is a machine called the velocipede. It is a wheel carriage to ride cock- horse upon, sitting astride and pushing it along with the toes —a rudder wheel in hand—they will go seven miles an hoar— a handsome gelding will come to eight guineas; however they will soon be cheaper, unless the Army takes to them."—I am,