Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/354

322] BOX box ; the first of which only is indigenous. The two first-" tioned species, grow in great abun- dance upon Box-hill, near Dork- ing, in Surrey, where there ' formerly large trees of this kind. Of the first species, there are two or three varieties, which are propa- gated in gardens ; and this, as well as the second, may be either raised from seeds or cuttings 5 the latter should be planted or sown in autumn, on a shady border. Box-trees may be transplanted at any time, except Midsummer, provided they be taken up with a good mass of earth, but the best time for their removal is October. The Dutch, or dwarf-box, is in- creased by parting the roots, or planting the slips : it should be in- termixed widi other evergreens. The uses of the large kind of box are various : many articles of turnery, and musical instruments, are manufactured of its wood : which is of greater specific gra- vity uhan any other of European growth, as it will not float upon water. In Paris, combs are made of no other material than this wood 3 and the quantity imported annually from Spain into that city, is estimated at 10.000 livres. Box admits of a beautiful polish when made into articles of furniture, for which it is now much employed, as its bitter quality renders it se- cure from the ;. ; i ks of worms. It is asserted, that a decoction of box-wood rubbed on the head, will speedily restore the hair c ed in conseqjience of mali ■ but care should beta]' applying it, to prevent it from touching the skin of the face, which, in consequence of this brocatipn, would likewise be co- ■..' with hair. A similar di BOX tion has been recommended as a powerful sudorific, even prefera- ble to Guaiacum ; though, at pre- sent, neither the wood nor the leaves of the box-tree are used for medicinal purposes. 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 cen- tury since, formed a regular kind of amusement, was encouraged by the first nobility of the kingdom, and even tolerated by the magi- strates. 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 de- volving to the loser. In conse- quence of the inconveniencies sus- tained at Taylor's booth, by the patrons of this refined art, Mr. Bhoughton, then the principal acVor in these exhibitions, erected a more commodious amphitheatre near Oxford-street. This barbarous amusement was at length neglect- ed 3 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 com- batants was killed on the spot 3 and Royal Highness the Prince of ■ es, who was present, declared, m account of the dreadful ex- ample he had then witnessed, he would never again be present at,