286

[Benjamin Rush.]

Sermons to Gentlemen upon Temperance and Exercise.

Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1772
44 pages. 8vo, disbound; minor foxing, early inked notes on pages 20, 31 and 32, minor wear to final leaf.

  • Notes: First edition of the first printed reference to golf in an American book. Though issued anonymously, this pamphlet is widely attributed to Dr. Benjamin Rush (1745-1813), soon to be a signer of the Declaration of Independence and surgeon-general in the Continental Army. 

    A section on active exercise considers the merits of walking, running, dancing, fencing, swimming, and more. A footnote on page 33 explains the exotic Scottish sport of golf: 

    "Golf is an exercise which is much used by the Gentlemen in Scotland. A large common in which there are several little holes is chosen for the purpose. It is played with little leather balls stuffed with feathers; and sticks made somewhat in the form of a bandy-wicket. He who puts a ball into a given number of holes, with the fewest strokes, gets the game. The late Dr. M'Kenzie, Author of the essay on Health and Long Life, used to say, that a man would live ten years the longer for using this exercise once or twice a week." 

    As for running, Rush declares it "too violent to be used often, or continued for any length of time . . . I would recommend it to be used as seldom as possible," but the pamphlet's original owner has added: "All excess is an injury to nature, but running in moderation is truely salutary" (page 31). 

    A 1772 English edition omits the preface found in this Philadelphia edition. The London edition dates the dedication "Philadelphia, January 2, 1772," suggesting that the Philadelphia edition has precedence. 

    Donovan & Murdoch, Game of Golf and the Printed Word 440; Evans 12547; Sabin 74240. One other complete copy traced at auction since 1964. 
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