Rush.
iii. RUSH,
Benjamin.
An Eulogium, intended to perpetuate the memory of David Rittenhouse, late President of the American Philosophical Society,
delivered before the Society in the First Presbyterian Church, in High-street, Philadelphia, on the 17th Dec. 1796. Agreeably
to Appointment. By Benjamin Rush, a member of the Society.
Philadelphia: Printed for
J. Ormrod, by
Ormrod & Conrad. Copy-right secured. n.d. [
1796.]
QB36 .R4 B8
First Edition. 8vo. 19 leaves in fours.
Sabin 74219.
Evans 31143.
Good, page 271.
Goodman, page 385.
Jefferson’s copy was a presentation from Benjamin Rush, who wrote to the former from Philadelphia on January 4, 1797: “I enclose you a humble tribute to the memory of our great republican & philosophical friend Mr. Rittenhouse. It is a feeble
expression of respect for his character compared with yours, in your defence of the genius of the Americans. Few such men
have ever lived, or died in any country.”
Jefferson replied from Monticello on January 22: “
I recieved yesterday your kind favor of the 4
th. inst. & the eulogium it covered on the subject of our late invaluable friend Rittenhouse, & I perused it with the avidity
& approbation which the matter & manner of every thing from your pen has long taught me to feel . . .
”
David Rittenhouse died on June 26, 1796. This
Eulogium contains a list of his publications printed in the transactions of the American Philosophical Society.
For other works by Benjamin Rush, and biographical notes, see chapter 10.
[680]
Barton.
iv. BARTON,
Benjamin Smith.
A Memoir concerning the fascinating faculty which has been ascribed to the Rattle-snake, and other American serpents. By Benjamin Smith Barton, M.D. . . .
Philadelphia: Printed for the author, by Henry Sweitzer,
1796.
QL669 .B285
First Edition. 8vo. 36 leaves. According to Evans there should be 6 plates.
Sabin 3816.
Evans 30057.
Agassiz I, 205, no. 9.
Not in Field.
Presented to Jefferson by the author, who in a letter to him written on August 1, 1796, reported that “The 4th vol. of the Transactions of our Philosophical Society is now in the press . . . I beg you to accept of the little
memoir which I send . . .”
A month later, on September 5, Barton again wrote to Jefferson: “Sometime since, I wrote to you, in answer to the letter which you had written to my deceased uncle, Mr. Rittenhouse. At the
same time, I did myself the pleasure to send to you a copy of my memoir, concerning the fascinating faculty which has been
ascribed to different species of serpents. As these went by a private hand, I am doubtful whether you have received them .
. .”
Jefferson replied on October 10: “
I thank you for your paper on the fascination of the snake, and am persuaded you have resolved the problem truly. I had always
ascribed their power over animals to antipathy & fear alone. I am satisfied that you justly add the effect of parental solicitudes.
We see daily proofs that the hawk has nearly the same power over the small birds which the snake has . . .
”
Benjamin Smith Barton, 1766-1815, physician and naturalist, was a nephew of David Rittenhouse, to whom this work is dedicated by his “affectionate
friend and
