The Dexter bicycle only differs from other two-wheeled machines in one respect. This, however, is quite important. By a simple and effective device, it admits of an instantaneous connection and disconnection of the crank with the axle of the driving wheel, keeping the treadles stationary or in motion, at the will of the rider, while the wheel continues to revolve. Ordinarily, in obtaining a high rate of speed on a velocipede, the rapidity of the revolution of the crank becomes too great to be followed by the movement of the feet, except at the expenditure of too much exertion. This difficulty is wholly obviated by Mr. Dexter. A continuous and uniform rate of speed may be kept up with his machine without fatiguing the rider. THE CHICAGO VELOCIPEDE. This velocipede is manufactured by Messrs. Loring & Keene, of Chicago, Illinois, and has become very popular in that city and throughout the West. It is a light machine, somewhat similar to that of Pickering & Davis. The saddle is upon a spiral spring, is not connected with the rear wheel, and serves as a seat and brake. The manufacturers claim that it will ascend a grade of one foot in eighteen, and that it can be driven at great speed. Its price is $130. D. W. Gosling, of Cincinnati, Ohio, has been engaged for some months in the manufacture of a velocipede upon the Franco-American plan. He claims that his bicycle is equal to any other, both in durability and fine workmanship. There is another manufactory in Cincinnati, which turns out sixteen hundred velocipedes per week, that are sold at $35 each. These machines are of the poorest possible workmanship and material. There are large numbers of bicycles in the market which are both unsafe and dangerous, and which the makers push into unsuspecting hands by offering them at much reduced rates. Many portions of these which should be of wrought iron, are made of cast iron, of course attractively painted. Nothing should be cast about the metal works of a velocipede except the brasses. A bad machine carefully kept, may, perhaps, last longer than a good machine very badly managed. It should be the ambition of a good rider, however, to have a good machine, kept in good order. There is danger to the velocipedist in pushing ahead with speed, when the slightest collision, or the giving way of some minute portion of the machine, may smash the whole affair. [Illustration] FOUR-WHEELED VELOCIPEDES. BRADFORD’S VELOCIPEDE. If any of our readers desire the luxury of a ride on a velocipede without the necessity of taking lessons, or the danger of getting a fall, they will find “Bradford’s Four-Wheeled Velocipede” ready and able to afford them the pleasure.