Modern Olympics forth from the goal starts the favorite hob and on his back firm sits light load, the dandy jerkin'd spruce. [graphic]

"The title continues: "Forth from the Goal Starts the favorite hob -and on his back Firm sits light load, the Dandy, Jerkin'd spruce' Dandies race on the new elocipede. In the foreground three are bunched together, taking enormous strides. The foremost holds a riding-switch in his teeth like a jockey, the last carries a rolled umbrella with a spiked ferrule under his right arm. A handle-bar connected with the hub of the front wheel steers the machine; a saddle is placed over a shallow dip in the main bar or pole, on which is also fastened a horizontal board to support the arms of the riders. In the background (left) a rider falls head first from his machine, which falls across the front wheel of another rider. On the right a frightened dandy, unable to stop, rides over the neck of a prostrate competitor, while behind, a third man stops by digging his heels into the ground. On the extreme right is a mail-coach with the guard blowing his horn."--British Museum online catalogue