the exercise of fighting with the fists, either naked or with a stone or leaden ball grasped in them: in which sense, boxing coincides with the pugilatus of the Romans, and what in our amphitheatres is sometimes called trial of manhood. When the champions had φαιξι, or balls, whether of lead or stone, it was properly denominated φαιξιοραχία. The ancient boxing differed from the pugna caelstum, in which the combatants had leathern thongs on their hands, and balls to offend their antagonists; though this distinction is frequently overlooked, and fighting with the caelus ranked as a part of the busines of the pugiles. We may distinguish three species of boxing; viz. where both the head and hands were naked; where the hands were armed and the head naked; and where the head was covered with a kind of cap, called amphitider, and the hands also furnished with the caelus.

Boxing is an ancient exercise, having been in use in the heroic ages. Those who prepared themselves for it, used all the means that could be contrived to render themselves fat and fleasy, that they might be better able to endure blows: whence corpulent men or women were usually called pugiles, according to Terence: Siqua est habilius paulo, pugilem esse aiunt.

In modern times this art has been in a manner appropriated by the English. About half a century ago it formed as regular an exhibition as we now see at any of the places of public amusements, the theatres alone excepted. It was encouraged by the first ranks of the nobility, patronized by the first subjects in the realm, and tolerated by the magistrates. Before the establishment of Broughton's amphitheatre, a booth was erected at Tottenham Court, in which the proprietor, Mr George Taylor, invited the professors of the art to display their skill, and the public to be present at its exhibition. The brawlers then had the reward due to their prowess, in a division of the entrance money, which sometimes was 100l. or 150l. The general mode of sharing was for two-thirds to go to the winning champion, while the remaining third was the right of the loser; though sometimes by an express agreement of the parties, the conqueror and the vanquished shared alike. The nobility and gentry having complained of the inconveniences sustained at Taylor's Booth, prevailed on Mr Broughton, who was then then rising into note, as the first bruiser in London, to build a place better adapted for such exhibitions. This was accordingly done in 1742, principally by subscription, behind Oxford-road. The building was called Broughton's New Amphitheatre; and, besides the stage for the combatants, had seats corresponding to the boxes, pit, and galleries, much in the same manner with those at Astley's. After a course of years, however, these exhibitions became gradually less patronized and frequented, owing probably to the refinement of our manners. Some time ago, indeed, they seemed to be revived, and very considerably engaged the attention of the public; but a fatal issue which attended one of them, brought the practice again into disrepute. One of the combatants was killed on the spot. His royal highness the prince of Wales was present, and declared that he would have some settlement made on the nearest relation of the deceased; but that, on account of the dreadful example he had then witnessed, he would never more either see or patronize another stage-fight.

Boxing, among sailors, is used to denote the rehearsing the several points of the compass in their proper order.

Boxing is also used for the tapping of a tree, to make it yield its juice. The boxing of maple is performed by making a hole with an axe or chisel into the side of the tree, about a foot from the ground; out of it flows a liquor of which sugar is made.