REMARKS ON BOLTON U. S. PATENT, SEPTEMBER 29, 1804. (_See cut, page 36_.) This early inventor, who had the honor of President Jefferson’s signature to his patent, was a clever genius in his time. I am constrained to think he was of that school which believes in the inherent power of the gear wheel; at least the four wheels, where there is no demand for more than two, would suggest this idea. According to our present system of gauging, this machine is geared to about fifteen. Mr. Bolton, however, was a pioneer, and as such we must hold him in great veneration. ENGLISH PATENT, DECEMBER 2, 1818. (_See cut, page 35._) There has been considerable discussion anent the earliest bicycle inventor, but after all his name seems to have been “Dennis,” or rather Dennis Johnson. As “Dennis” has been before us in the periodicals for a number of years, we will not dwell upon him; suffice it to say that his name will always hold the high place it deserves, as the first patentee of a single-track balancing machine. CROFT AMERICAN PATENT. The inventor, Mr. Croft, a cut of whose machine will be found on page 38, was one, and probably the earliest, of those who have deceived themselves with the idea that power could be increased by means of a solid grip on the ground, forgetting a common principle that, so long as the hold does not give way, one plan is as good as another in this respect. Below find a brief of his specification. “UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. “MATTHEW E. CROFT, OF HORICON, WISCONSIN. IMPROVEMENT IN TRICYCLES. (_See cut, page 38._) “The object of this invention is to furnish an improved tricycle, designed for use by mechanics and others for going to and from their places of business, by merchants and others for sending small parcels from one place to another, and by youths and others for amusement and exercise, and which shall be simple in construction and easily operated. “To the stirrups J are pivoted the rear ends of two rods K, the forward ends of which are pivoted to the forward axle B, near its ends, so that the rider can guide and turn the machine with his feet. “The rider propels the machine by means of two rods, L, which he holds in his hands, and which he presses against the ground. In starting, the rider presses both rods L against the ground at the same time, but after he has got up enough motion to give momentum to the machine, he can use the rods L alternately. “If desired, a receptacle may be secured to the bolster E, to contain a lunch or other small parcels.” SOME EXTRACTS FROM VERY OLD ENGLISH PATENTS. “A.D. 1691 June 12—No 269 +Greene, John+