“[1131].—The ‘side-slip’ of the Safety seems to be the argument of to-day, and probably it is the great and all-important question to winter riders, as well as the members of clubs, near large towns, who attend the Saturday runs, and have to endure the double dose from our friend the ‘water-cart.’ Undoubtedly, the argument of _The Cyclist_ is correct. +J. Nicholson.+” * * * * * “[1132],—I have been trying experiments on the greasy wood and asphalt roads these last few days, and I have come to the conclusion _that the nearer the rider can get_ to a vertical position over the centre of the driving-wheel the less liability to side-slip. “+C. Leni.+” The above quotations explain themselves, and many other such, “from experience” (_sic_), might be given. The _Cyclist_ editor and Mr. Lee are justly considered to be authorities in such matters. It is beyond all question that all of these writers are strictly honest and speak the truth so far as they know it, but we may well ask, under these circumstances, what is any individual experience worth? Certainly nothing, until it becomes verified and definitely settled by the general verdict of all sides. For such reasons the writer is loath to offer his own observations on this subject as of much value. It is a peculiar fact, and one worthy of notice by all who desire to form an accurate opinion in the matter of cycling or of any other art, that the experience of an interested party is generally as one-sided as his desires. A machine will do an enormous amount in the mind of the user, if he wants it to; and this is not said in a spirit of criticism or deprecation, for the writer has found himself just as liable to the same error as others. In being interested, I do not mean that it is necessary to be financially interested; all a man has to do is to _take a side_, and he is deeply enough interested for all practical purposes: let him set up an opinion and ten to one his experience will bear him out, not in the way of villanous, premeditated misrepresentation, but results will honestly appear to justify him. It does not appear that we must contend with this vicious tendency to any greater extent in connection with the cycle than in any other art. Almost every rider is prone to consider himself an expert in our pet subject, and it very often happens that he is; yet he may not be an observer capable of defending himself against himself in the delusions of experience.