Mr. Lee says that the present pneumatic tires would not be of the slightest use, as rubber cracks and splits with the extreme cold. He has a plan for a new kind of tire that could withstand the climate. * * * * * We saw an account the other day of a new sport for the wheel, which is being indulged in by the cyclists of England and France. It is called bicycle duelling, and consists of fighting mock duels on the wheel. It is said by those who have witnessed it to be a very interesting sport. The contestants are masked; use foils with buttons on the points, and fight according to the strict rules of fencing. The game is won by touching the adversary over the heart with the sheathed point of the foil. In fencing, a man has to keep his eye closely on his adversary, and dares not allow his attention to be distracted for a moment. It is therefore absolutely necessary that those who engage in a bicycle duel should be expert riders. The mimic battle begins by the two riders circling slowly round each other, waiting for an opportunity to dash in and strike a blow. This circling continues for a few moments until one darts forward--the foils clash, and the aggressor passes swiftly on, only to turn and recommence the circling until he sees another opportunity. They fight in this way, back and forth, round and round, until the final touch is given; then the cyclist who is touched is obliged to dismount, as a sign that he has been defeated. This pastime is particularly popular in France, where fencing forms a part of every young man's education. * * * * * We have had several inquiries about the George Junior Republic at Freeville, and are pleased to say that the young citizens are being received there in as large numbers as the funds will permit. It might interest our readers to know that any one sending $15 to Mr. A.G. Agnew, Treasurer of the George Junior Republic, 7 Nassau Street, New York, can give a ten-weeks' holiday to one poor little lad of the streets. It is a very small amount of money to do so much good with, and it is to be hoped that people who have $15 to spare will send it to the Junior Republic to help the good work along. G.H. ROSENFELD. INVENTION AND DISCOVERY. RECORDING THERMOMETER.--This is a very interesting little machine, especially so at this time of year when the temperature is a constant subject for thought. [Illustration: Thermometer] It is a recording thermometer, and consists of a thermometer and a recording disk. By means of cleverly arranged mechanism the rise and fall of the mercury is used as the motor power, and registers the changes in temperature on an indicator card. Other simple mechanism works a rotary drum by which this indicator card is carried. [Illustration: Pencil Sharpener]