The English Spy: An Original Work Characteristic, Satirical, And Humorous. C. M. Westmacott

cares and disappointments of the world; and, tripping gaily with the light-hearted, youthful band, cast off the gloom of envy and of worldly pursuit, reassociating myself with the joyous scenes of my boyhood. Nay, more, I hold thee in higher veneration than ever did antiquarian worship the relics of virtu.

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      Destruction light upon the impious hand that would abridge thy ancient charter;—be all thy children, father Etona, doubly-armed to defend thy ancient honors;—let no modern Goth presume to violate thy sacred rights; but to the end of time may future generations retain the spirit of thy present race; and often as the happy period comes, new pleasures wait upon the Eton Montem.{1}

      1 The ancient custom, celebrated at Eton every third year,

       on Whit-Tuesday, and which bears the title of The Montem,

       appears to have defied antiquarian research, as far as

       relates to its original institution. It consiste of a

       procession to a small tumulus on the southern side of the

       Bath road, which has given the name of Salt-Hill to the

       spot, now better known by the splendid inns that are

       established there. The chief object of this celebration,

       however, is to collect money for salt, according to the

       language of the day, from all persons who assemble to see

       the show, nor does it fail to be exacted from travellers on

       the road, and even at the private residences within a

       certain, but no inconsiderable, range of the spot. The

       scholars appointed to collect the money are called salt- bearers; they are arrayed in fancy dresses, and are attended by others called scouts, of a similar, but less showy appearance. Tickets are given to such persons as have paid their contributions, to secure them from any further demand. This ceremony is always very numerously attended by Etonians, and has frequently been honored with the presence of his late Majesty, and the different branches of the Royal Family. The sum collected on the occasion has sometimes exceeded 800L., and is given to the senior scholar, who is called Captain of the School. This procession appears to be coeval with the foundation; and it is the opinion of Mr. Lysons, that it was a ceremonial of the Bairn, or Boy- Bishop. He states, that it originally took place on the 6th of December, the festival of St. Nicholas, the patron of children; being the day on which it was customary at Salisbury, and in other places where the ceremony was observed, to elect the Boy-Bishop from among the children belonging to the cathedral. This mock dignity lasted till Innocents' day; and, during the intermediate time, the boy performed various episcopal functions. If it happened that he died before the allotted period of this extraordinary mummery had expired, he was buried with all the ceremonials which were used at the funerals of prelates. In the voluminous collections relating to antiquities, bequeathed by Mr. Cole, who was himself of Eton and King's colleges, to the British Museum, is a note which

      mentions that the ceremony of the Bairn or Boy-Bishop was to

       be observed by charter, and that Geoffry Blythe, Bishop of

       Lichfield, who died in 1530, bequeathed several ornaments

       to those colleges, for the dress of the bairn-bishop. But on

       what authority this industrious antiquary gives the

       information, which, if correct, would put an end to all

       doubt on the subject, does not appear. But, after all, why

       may not this custom be supposed to have originated in a

       procession to perform an annual mass at the altar of some

       saint, to whom a small chapel might have been dedicated on

       the mount called Salt-Hill; a ceremony very common in

       Catholic countries, as such an altar is a frequent appendage

       to their towns and populous villages? As for the selling of

       salt, it may be considered as a natural accompaniment, when

       its emblematical character, as to its use in the ceremonies

       of the Roman Church, is contemplated. Till the time of

       Doctor Barnard, the procession of the Montem was every two

       years, and on the first or second Tuesday in February. It

       consisted of something of a military array. The boys in the

       remove, fourth, and inferior forms, marched in a long file

       of two and two, with white poles in their hands, while the

       sixth and fifth form boys walked on their flanks as

       officers, and habited in all the variety of dress, each of

       them having a boy of the inferior forms, smartly equipped,

       attending on him as a footman. The second boy in the school

       led the procession in a military dress, with a truncheon in

       his hand, and bore for the day the title of Marshal: then

       followed the Captain, supported by his Chaplain, the head

       scholar of the fifth form, dressed in a suit of black, with

       a large bushy wig, and a broad beaver decorated with a

       twisted silk hatband and rose, the fashionable distinction

       of the dignified clergy of that day. It was his office to

       read certain Latin prayers on the mount at Salt-Hill The

       third boy of the school brought up the rear as Lieutenant.

       One of the higher classes, whose qualification was his

       activity, was chosen Ensign, and carried the colours, which

       were emblazoned with the college arms, and the motto, Pro mort el monte. This flag, before the procession left the college, he flourished in the school-yard with all the dexterity displayed at Astley's and places of similar exhibition. The same ceremony was repeated after prayers, on the mount. The regiment dined in the inns at Salt-Hill, and then returned to the college; and its dismission in the school-yard was announced by the universal drawing of all the swords. Those who bore the title of commissioned officers were exclusively on the foundation, and carried spontoons; the rest were considered as Serjeants and corporals, and a most curious assemblage of figures they exhibited. The two principal salt-bearers consisted of an oppidan and a colleger: the former was generally some nobleman, whose figure and personal connexions might advance the interests of the collections. They were dressed like running footmen, and carried, each of them, a silk bag to receive the contributions, in which was a small quantity of salt. During Doctor Barnard's mastership, the ceremony was made triennial, the time changed from February to Whit- Tuesday, and several of its absurdities retrenched. An ancient and savage custom of hunting a ram by the foundation scholars, on Saturday in the election week, was abolished in the earlier part of the last century. The curious twisted clubs with which these collegiate hunters were armed on the occasion are still to be seen in antiquarian collections.

      What coronation, tournament, or courtly pageant, can outshine thy splendid innocence and delightful gaiety? what regal banquet yields half the pure enjoyment the sons of old Etona experience, when, after months of busy preparation, the happy morn arrives ushered in with the inspiring notes of "Auld lang syne" from the well-chosen band in the college breakfast-room? Then, too, the crowds of admiring spectators, the angel host of captivating beauties with their starry orbs of light, and luxuriant tresses, curling in playful elegance around a face beaming with divinity, or falling in admired negligence over bosoms of alabastrine whiteness and unspotted purity within! Grey-bearded wisdom and the peerless great, the stars of honor in the field and state, the pulpit and the bar, send forth their