es, &c. to be cut off, lest they should produce their like.

The ear has its beauties, which a good painter ought by no means to disregard; where it is well formed, it would be an injury to the head to be hidden. Suetonius inflicts, particularly, on the beauties of Augustus's ears; and Ælian, describing the beauties of Alpasia, observes, she had short ears. Martial also ranks large ears among the number of deformities.

Among the Athenians, it was a mark of nobility to have the ears bored or perforated. And among the Hebrews and Romans, this was a mark of servitude.

Loss of one ear is a punishment enacted by 5 and 6 Edw. VI. cap. 4. for fighting in a churchyard; and by 2 and 3 Edw. VI. cap. 15. for combinations to raise the price of provisions, labour, &c. if it be the third offence, beside pillory, and perpetual infamy, or a fine of 40l.

By a statute of Henry VIII. maliciously cutting off the ear of a person is made a trespass, for which treble damages shall be recovered; and the offender is to pay a fine of ten pounds to the king, 37 Hen. VIII. cap. 6. § 4. In the Index to the Statutes at Large, it is said, that this offence may be punished as felony, by 22 and 23 Car. II. cap. 1. § 7. commonly called Coventry's act; but ear is not mentioned in that statute.