MONTEM

The name given to an ancient custom still prevalent among the scholars of Eton, which consists in their proceeding every third year on Whit Tuesday to a tumulus (Lat. ad monteni, whence the name), near the Bath road, and exacting money for salt, as it is called, from all persons present or pa ers by. The sum so collected is given to the captain, or senior scholar of the school, and is intended to a ist in defraying the expenses of his residence at the university, to which he is about to proceed. The origin of this ceremony dates from the establishment of the foundation of Eton College; but it was at first held on the 6th of December, the festival of St. Nicholas, the patron of children; and it is only since 1759 that the present was substituted for the original period of its celebration. It has been the almost invariable practice of the sovereign, the court, and a large portion of the nobility to honour this festivity with their presence; and so liberal have been their contributions that the salt money has been known to approach nearly 1000/. (See Huggett's MS. Collections, for a history of Windsor and Eton colleges, in the British Museum; and Brand's Popular Antiqtiities.) [s. 781]