Editor.

We have great pleasure in informing our readers that we are about to publish a volume of “Great round world Natural History Stories.”

We know how much our young friends love true stories.  This collection will contain only true stories, and has been written by one who was an intimate friend, as she says, of each of these interesting creatures.

It has taken several years to collect them, and they are being prepared and illustrated with the greatest care.

We publish one story as a supplement, and will be very glad if our readers will let us know if it pleases them.

We are constantly having new books sent in to us.  We would like to have our subscribers read the books, and write us what they think of them.  Letters of this kind will be printed in the great round world from time to time.  Any of our subscribers who have had a letter about some book published may become a “reader”—­that is, new books will be given them to read, and write an account of.  If the account is well-enough written to be published, the book may be kept; and others will be sent from time to time for criticism of this kind.

INVENTION AND DISCOVERY.

Some lover of the wheel, who evidently cannot bear to lose the pleasure of wheeling even when the snow lies thick on the ground, has invented a sleigh attachment.  This is a runner fastened beneath the driving-wheel of the bicycle.

[Illustration]

What a great thing this will be!  Fancy wheeling away over the snow, propelling our wheels as fast as the pedals can make us go.

The bicyclists ought to be very happy this year; so many clever brains are working for their comfort and pleasure.

[Illustration]

All who ride have been troubled at times what to do with the bicycles when they are standing still.

It may be there is damp grass, which would make it impossible to lay the precious wheel down; or there may be a thousand other little inconveniences.

Some one has come to the aid of the bicyclist, and invented a bicycle support, which can be secured to the machine, and raised at will, so as not to interfere with the wheel when in motion.  It is just the thing all bicyclists have been longing for.

[Illustration]

Another busy brain has been at work in anticipation of the summer, and the glorious time in store, riding along the country roads.

[Illustration]

An umbrella support is the result.  It consists of an attachment composed of portions which can be connected or removed at will.

What a boon it will be, on a hot summer’s day, to have an umbrella comfortably held over one’s head, while the hands are free to guide the wheel!

FIRST BOUND VOLUMES