524 
JOURNAL OF AN EMBASSY 
temple and the palisade which surrounded it. 
When the boxing commenced, the populace 
formed a ring with as much regularity as if 
they had been true-born Englishmen. This 
was preserved with much more regularity, with 
the assistance of the constables, with their long 
rods or staves, whom I before mentioned. 
The King frequently said, when he saw the 
constables exercising their authority, 44 Don’t 
hurt them,—don’t prevent them from looking 
on.” Not a single female was to be seen 
among the crowd, although the curiosity of 
the women leads them to mix with the men 
upon almost every other occasion. They are 
not prohibited from attending; but it would 
be considered not feminine to do so, and con¬ 
trary to custom, the amusements being con¬ 
sidered male sports only. 
In respect to the arrangement or police of 
such places, a whimsical and barbarous custom 
prevails, which ought to be noticed. If any 
one come with money on his person, he may 
be plundered of it by a public officer, or 
almost any one else, and can get no redress. 
The same practice prevails in two other places, 
where it is still more unpardonable, viz. at the 
principal gate of the Palace, and under the 
L’hut-d’hau, or principal council-hall, and court 
