E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Box Harry (To),
among commercial travellers, is to shirk the table d’hôte and take something substantial for tea, in order to save expense. Halliwell says, “to take care after having been extravagant.” To box a tree is to cut the bark to procure the sap, and these travellers drain the landlord by having a cheap tea instead of an expensive dinner. To “box the fox” is to rob an orchard.
