a town of Bucks, situated on the river Thames, across which there is a bridge leading to Windsor. Eton has been long celebrated for its school and college, which were founded by Henry VI.; and King's college in the university of Cambridge admits none into the number of its fellows, who have not been brought up at Eton. It lies west from London, at the distance of about 20 miles.
The scholars of Eton school have a festival which has been celebrated from time immemorial, called the Montem, the observance of which was at first biennial, but is now triennial, on the Whit Tuesday in every third year. It commences by a number of the older boys taking post on the bridges, and guarding every other avenue around Windsor and Eton, as soon as the day begins to dawn.
They are generally selected on account of their fine figures and superior activity. Their dresses are all fantastic, composed of silks, satins, &c., some of them very richly embroidered, and chiefly in the appearance of running footmen, having poles in their hands, and denominated falt-bearers, who demand falt of every passenger they meet, by which they mean a contribution, and peremptorily insist on receiving it. The contribution being given, which consists of whatever the person pleases to bestow, a printed paper is delivered, containing their motto, together with the date of the year; and this being produced to any other falt-bearer, exempts the passenger from the payment of any farther contributions during that day. The motto is,
"Pro more et monte. Vivant rex et regina."
They continue levying contributions in this manner from the dawn of day till about three o'clock in the afternoon, at which time the procession closes. It commences at noon, and consists of the queen's and other bands of music;—several standards carried by different students;—all the boys of Eton, two and two, dressed in the uniform of officers; those belonging to the king's foundation, wear blue, the rest scarlet uniform, swords, &c.—the grand standard bearer;—the captain or head boy of Eton school;—the lieutenant, or second boy;—his majesty, attended by the prince of Wales, and other male branches of the royal family on horseback, with their suite;—the queen and princesses in coaches, attended by their suite;—band of music, followed by a great concourse of the nobility and gentry in their carriages, and on horseback.
The procession begins in the great square at Eton proceeding through Eton to Slough, and round to Salt-hill, where the whole of the boys pass in review before the king and queen, and ascend the montem, where an oration is delivered, and the grand standard is displayed with much activity and grace by the standard-bear- er, who is commonly selected from among the elder boys. Two extraordinary salt-bearers are chosen to wait upon their majesties, dressed in fanciful habits, and decorated in the most superb manner, carrying an embroidered bag, not only for the purpose of receiving what is denominated the royal salt, but also what may be collected by the other salt-bearers in different quarters. The donation of the king is 50 guineas, the queen's is the same sum; that of the prince of Wales is 30, and that of the other princes and princesses is 20 guineas each. This ceremony being over, the royal family return to Windsor. A tumultuous entertainment is provided for the boys at the tavern at Salt-hill, and the beautiful gardens are laid out for ladies and gentlemen to take refreshments, where bands of music are constantly performing.
At six o'clock in the evening, the boys return in the same order of procession as in the morning (but without the royal family), and after marching round the great square, are dismissed. After this the captain pays his respects to the royal family at the queen's lodge, Windsor, prior to his departure for King's college, Cambridge; to defray the expenses of which, he is presented with the produce of the montem, which in the year 1796 amounted to more than 1000 guineas.
This joyful day is terminated by a brilliant exhibition of beauty, rank, and fashion; a promenade on the terrace of Windsor; bands of music performing, &c.; and the scene is rendered still more interesting and delightful by the humble, affable deportment of the royal family, who readily mingle with the company, and walk on the terrace till it is almost dark.