Boat Racing: or The Arts of Rowing and Training - Edwin Dampier Brickwood (Amateur Ex-Champion of The Thames) 1876 - Horace Cox, 346 Strand - New Edition Fine example of the rare second edition of ‘the earliest comprehensive work on the technique of rowing’ which adds the wonderful albumen photograph of an elegantly calm Henley and has been expanded with alterations bringing it up to date with the addition of historical matter. The most important being the invention and acceptance of the sliding seat between the first edition of 1866 and this second edition of 1876.

Brickwood is insistent on a good balance of work, diet, sleep and cleanliness. Breakfast of mutton chops or rump steaks, to which can be added some cold chicken or hot grilled fowl, an egg or two, lettuce or watercress, brown bread, and two cups of tea, lunch includes a slice or two of bread and butter and a half a pint of good sound ale, perhaps with a chop, dinner, being the main meal of the day is too large to list here, but should include a pint and a half of sound beer in the summer months, with a couple of glasses of claret, sherry, or port wine to finish it all off with. A glass of warm port wine or cup of tea without milk or sugar but with a teaspoonful of brandy is recommended between heats on race day....
  Edwin Dampier Brickwood (1837-1906) was a British rower who won the Wingfield Sculls in 1861 and the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta in 1859 and 1862. He also wrote about extensively on rowing, and in addition to this work, for many years produced the Rowing Almanack and Oarsman's Companion and was aquatic correspondent for The Field magazine. His definition of the difference between amateurs and professionals became the standard.

Brockwood’s introduction comments on the marked decline in the popularity of professional rowing, except on the Tyne. On the other hand, the crowds ‘have taken to the University boat race, which, for obvious reasons, would be more likely to prove attractive to the middle and upper classes’.

A great improvement is noted in the art of rowing and an increase in its popularity. ‘Twenty years ago’. says the author, ‘there was not one regatta in England where there are now a score, and... good oarsmanship is not confined to the male sex.

The art of training has been rescued from the depth of empiricism in which it was too long suffered to dwell, and in which the ignorant prejudices of illiterate professionals, who at one time usurped the coaching amateurs, purposely kept it. At the present time it is conducted on the principles of common sense and hygiene, and so far from being a mystery is now nothing more nor less than an adhesion to a few simple rules’.

On the other hand, coaching has been needlessly surrounded with ‘humbug and bewildering technicalities’, and ‘form, perhaps has not improved, but better things may be hoped for, as the use of the new tools becomes familiar.’

Reference: Brittain,
Oar, Scull & Rudder, 46. Toy, Adventures Afloat, 4199.

Small octavo (book size 19.3x3.3cm), pp. x 241 [1]. In publisher’s blue cloth, Henley cup blocked in gilt to front, and spine lettered in gilt, patterned pale-green endpapers.
  Condition: Fine but for some very light wear to folds and corners of cloth.   Ref: 111121   Price: HK$ 10,000