Boxing, the art of fighting with the fists, which, among the Romans, were either naked, or inclosed a stone or leaden ball. Hence this exercise is very ancient, having been in vogue in the heroic ages.

To the disgrace of this country, the art of boxing, about half a century since, formed a regular kind of amusement, was encouraged by the first nobility of the kingdom, and even tolerated by the magistrates. About the time above-mentioned, a booth was erected at Tottenham-court, to which the public paid for admission the same as at a regular theatre, and the profits were divided among the combatants; the victor receiving two-thirds, and the remainder devolving to the loser. In consequence of the inconveniencies sustained at Taylor's booth, by the patrons of this refined art, Mr. Broughton, then the principal actor in these exhibitions, erected a more commodious amphitheatre near Oxford-street. This barbarous amusement was at length neglect-ed ; though within these few years it has again enaged a considerable degree of the public attention : a fatal issue, however, which took place at one of the combats, again brought the practice into disrepute. On this occasion, one of the combatants was killed on the spot; and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who was present, declared, that on account of the dreadful example he had then witnessed, he would never again be present at, or patronize another exhibition of a similar kind.

Boxing also signifies the tapping of a tree, to make it yield its juice. This operation is performed on the maple, by making a hole in the side of the tree, about a foot from the ground, with an auger or chisel : from this juice or sap a good sugar may be extracted.