This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain much valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L.A.W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information as far as possible.

The route this week is to Newburyport from Boston. The ride is a good one, though in some places there are hills which make it a tough pull at times. Still, taken all together, the run is over a well-laid road-bed, and through attractive country. Running out of Boston the wheelman should follow the route as far as Salem, just as we described last week in the trip from Boston to Gloucester. This was, briefly, to run out through Chelsea, having crossed the Chelsea Ferry. Thence proceed direct to Lynn, and, passing through Lynn and Upper Swampscott, finally run into Salem after passing through South Salem. From this point the new route begins.

Starting from Washington Square, Salem, go through Winter Street to Bridge Street, and follow this across the bridge to Beverly. (Fine harbor view on right.) After passing the bridge keep to left up the hill to level way, taking Salem Street, past Powder Hill on the right, and by Salem Reservoir. After crossing track of railroad near Wenham Lake turn to right so as to pass lake on the left. The ride along the lake is shady and pleasant, good view of lake. Follow car-tracks to Wenham. (Rolling country, fair road.) At Wenham are grounds of Myopia Club (great polo-players). At Wenham Depot cross railroad tracks and keep to the right, direct road to Hamilton, where keep to left onto Main Street, and at the four corners turn to the left. Keep this road to Ipswich, then turn to left, crossing railroad, and so on out High Street. Good well near crossing. The road now bends to the right to Rowley. Keep to main road, cross track again at Beans Crossing, and proceed through High Street toward the Parker River. (Some hills, and one or two rather difficult.) The white Old Town bridge is soon at hand, and this takes one over Parker River. Keep to High Street through the town, and thus on to Newburyport, there turning to right at State Street. Distance about fifty miles. It is pleasanter to make this a two day's trip, and to return on the same route as far as Hamilton, and there, after passing post-office, turn to the left, cross the tracks of Essex Branch, keeping to the right at fork till Eastern Avenue is reached, here turn to left, go past Chebacco Street to fork in roads, take right-hand road which bends to south. Keep to left around Becks Pond to Chebacco House on lake of same name. Beautiful region. Fine place to rest and get dinner. This house is famous for its broiled chicken dinner ($1). Continuing by same road pass Winepoyken House and through a long stretch of wood (good dirt road). At fork of roads keep to left over Wyman's Hill along Pleasant Street to Pine Street, here turn to right and ride into Manchester. Keep to left, and leave Manchester by Summer Street, and at junction of three roads keep to right, then to left, and over Western Avenue, which leads quite directly to Gloucester, where steamer can be taken for Boston (2 p.m.). Still another choice from Newburyport to Gloucester would be by original route to Ipswich, which leave by County Street, turning to the left onto Essex Street, direct road past Brown Street, then at fork turn to right out to Prospect Hill, entering Essex by Northern Avenue and leaving by Eastern Avenue, keeping to the right and coming into West Gloucester by Essex Avenue, which turns abruptly to the right, and finally passes under tracks of Gloucester Branch of Boston and Maine Railroad. Follow Essex Avenue, which winds and twists, and it will bring you onto Western Avenue; then you turn to left, and pass the beach into the city.

Note.—Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford, Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814. Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816. Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No. 820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822. Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City—First Stage in No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland—First Stage in No. 827, Second Stage in No. 828. New York to Boston—Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830; Fourth Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832; Sixth Stage in No. 833. Boston to Concord in No. 834. Boston in No. 835. Boston to Gloucester in No. 836.

This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.

One of the sweetest things a girl can do is to receive friends graciously, particularly at home. In one's own house a cordial manner is peculiarly fitting. Do not stand off in the middle of the room and bow coldly and formally to the friend who has called. Walk over to meet her; give her your hand, and say pleasantly that you are very glad to see her again. Stiff, cold, and formal ways of greeting acquaintances are not proper in a girl welcoming guests to her father's house. A daughter's part is to assist her mother on every social occasion. The girl pours the tea in her mother's drawing-room when friends drop in at five o'clock. Quite often, when no maid is present, she helps the guests to the sandwiches and their cakes which are served at a five-o'clock tea, and herself hands the cups, and takes them from the guest who would like to be relieved.

Apart from and more important even than her manner to a guest who happens in for an hour or a day, is the manner of a daughter to her father and mother. The father returns to his home after a wearying day at business. He is tired in body and mind. Coming back, as his latch-key turns in the home door he throws off care; he is joyous at the thought of the dear ones he will meet after hours of absence. His young daughter, in a pretty gown, with the bloom and freshness only girlhood wears, should be ready to give him the attentions he loves—the kiss, the cheery word—to help her mother and the rest in letting her father see how much he is loved at home. Men give up a great deal for their families—their time, their strength, the knowledge they have gained in life's experiences—they spend everything freely for their home's sake, and the home should pay its debt in much outspoken love.

All through life, girls, never economize demonstration to those who are your very own. Let them know how much you love them. Tell them so. For strangers and mere acquaintances we should have reserve and carry ourselves with dignity, but our own home people have a right to our unstinted love. Praise the little brother or sister who does well. If you are teaching a little pupil, and she is trying hard to show that she cares for the lesson, let her know that you are fully satisfied. Praise goes further than blame in making people good. Indeed, happy people are generally good.

Millicent D—— wants me to tell her in a sentence what I would like the girls to observe for the next year. Now, the new year isn't here yet, and it is not yet time for the passing of the old. I think while the weeks of November and December go flying down-stream, rushing so fast that we can hardly keep pace with them, I will ask you to "practice small courtesies." Do all the kind things you can, the "little acts of kindness." Begin to-day. If we all remembered to be kind all the time, what a world of happiness we should have!

I am delighted, Grace and Mattie, to hear about your dancing-class. All girls who can should go to dancing-school. In no other way can you acquire so much grace of movement, nor is there any pretty accomplishment which yields more innocent pleasure. Pray learn to make a beautiful courtesy. It is the distinction of a young lady to do this with grace.