I never saw such a concourse of genteel company at any races in
England, as appeared on the course of Leith -- Hard by, in the
fields called the Links, the citizens of Edinburgh divert
themselves at a game called golf, in which they use a curious
kind of bats, tipt with horn, and small elastic balls of leather,
stuffed with feathers, rather less than tennis balls, but of a
much harder consistence -- This they strike with such force and
dexterity from one hole to another, that they will fly to an
incredible distance. Of this diversion the Scots are so fond,
that when the weather will permit, you may see a multitude of all
ranks, from the senator of justice to the lowest tradesman,
mingled together in their shirts, and following the balls with
the utmost eagerness. Among others, I was shewn one particular set
of golfers, the youngest of whom was turned of fourscore -- They
were all gentlemen of independent fortunes, who had amused
themselves with this pastime for the best part of a century,
without having ever felt the least alarm from sickness or
disgust; and they never went to bed, without having each the best
part of a gallon of claret in his belly.
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