Judging from this invention they must be expert riders in every way in Italy; it must be supposed that the inventor at least could manage it. If reducing the mechanism increases the power in such a proportion, why not do away with all mechanism and have infinite power? [Illustration: B. Smith, of San Francisco. Velocipede. No. 249,207. Patented November 8, 1881.] SMITH SPECIFICATION. “The rider is supported upon a seat or saddle, _Q_, directly above the stirrups, in a nearly standing position, his feet resting upon the stirrups, and he operates the clutches alternately by a walking movement, or he can operate the mechanism in a standing position without the seat or saddle. The clutch-levers alternately engage with the rims or pulleys on the axle, as their outer ends are pressed downward by the backward walking movement of the foot of the rider, and releasing them as the foot rises in stepping forward, the rope reeving through the pulleys in each direction alternately as the levers are alternately raised and depressed. “The operation will then be as follows: When a downward pressure is applied to one lever its lower arm or prong, _g′_, pressing upon the face of the disk _F_, draws the case or frame forward, so as to press the rollers _h_ against the face of the disk, thus clutching or gripping the disk at three points, so as to clamp the frame or case to it. The downward pressure of the lever then turns the disk and axle until the lever of the opposite clutch has gripped the other disk in the same way. “In a four-wheeled carriage a seat or body can be placed upon the front part of the vehicle for carrying another person or parcels. “I thus provide a vehicle that is propelled by a walking movement similar to that employed in operating the bicycle. It can be operated with very little exertion, and it enables the rider to carry another person or packages, if he desires.” * * * * * This gallant tandem inventor was at least not guilty of requiring his lady to do any work. [Illustration: R. Tragardh, of Chicago. Velocipede. No. 250,607. Patented December 6, 1881.] This is a sample of many patents in which the inventors try to combine the elements of a bicycle and tricycle, thereby defeating the end of each. [Illustration: J. Renetti. Velocipede. No. 96,963. Patented November 16, 1869.] A clutch-lever machine of some merit, considering the early date of the patent. This is a rear-driver with front wheel as large as the rear, though not a single-track machine. [Illustration: W. H. Hull and J. W. O’Rear. Velocipede. No. 259,853. Patented June 20, 1882.] HULL AND O’REAR SPECIFICATION. “This invention consists of the construction and arrangement, as hereinafter described, of a vehicle to be propelled and guided by the rider, the driving-power being applied by means of hand-cranks and the guiding being effected by the foot of the operator.