JB/109/156/001

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1820. May 25.
Collectanea.
Morn. Chron. May 25. 1820.
The Eton Montem.

"The triennial celebration of this imposing and interesting
"ceremony took place on Tuesday, and excited that degree of attention
"among the higher orders of society which may always
"be expected in every thing relating to the education and habits
"of the sons of persons of rank and fortune. The practice is
"founded on immemorial usage. The persons who collect the
"contributions are called Salt-bearers. At an early hour of the
"morning, two of these young gentlemen were stationed at every
"pass leading to the vicinity of the College. Those who stood at Colnbrook-bridge
"were attired in grand costume of embroidered
"silk, with beautiful silk hats, decorated with feathers. They stopped
"every foot passenger and every vehicle, from the humble taxed
"cart to the stage coach and elegant barouche, and insisted on a
"contribution from every individual conveyed in them. Those
"who paid the tax, which they called salt, received tickets with the
"words — Pro more et monte 1820; and the showing of these
"rickets protected them against any future demands during the
"remainder of the day. A little before six o-clock the King arrived
"at Eton on horseback, from his cottage in Windsor-park,
"accompanied by Sir Benjamin Bloomfield and other attendants.
"His Majesty was dressed in black, and looked remarkably well.
"On arriving at the bridge, which divides the county of Buckingham
"from that of Berks, he was stopped by two juvenile salt-bearers,
"who demands his money; all his attendants were stopped
"at the same time. His Majesty, with a good humoured
"and gracious smile, asked the names of these young heroes
"of the high-way, who were splendidly attired in silks, embroidery,
"turbans and feathers; he then delivered to them a purse,
"containing a magnificent donation, received his ticket, and
"was allowed to pass on. His Majesty, in imitation of other visitors,
"caused the ticket to be openly exhibited on his hat. He then
"proceeded at a slow pace to Eton College, and was received at the
"north entrance leading into the Park, by the Provost, at whose
"apartment a splendid breakfast was prepared for the Royal
"guest.

About a quarter past one o clock the King came forth
"from the apartment of the Provost, into that place called the Stable-yard,
"where he reviewed all the scholars, who were drawn up
"in grand order before him, and witnessed the furling of the flag,
"bearing the inscription, pro monte more et monte. After this inspection
"on the part of his Majesty, the grand procession commenced.
"The young gentlemen were divided into two parties,
"headed by their officers, and each party was preceded by the military
"band. They marched in military array from the
"north side of the College through the Park, then proceeded, amidst
"vast crowds of spectators on foot, in gigs, curricles, landaus,
"&c, and amidst clouds of dust, to the village of Hough. Here
"they halted for a short time, and then went on towards Salt Hill.
"This route was a circuitous one, but it was necessary for the
"purpose of giving greater effect to the splendid exhibition.

Identifier: | JB/109/156/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 109.
Date_1	1820-05-25	Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	109	Main Headings	Parliamentary Reform
Folio number	156	Info in main headings field	Collectanea
Image	001	Titles	Morn. Chron. May 25 1820 / The Eton Montem
Category	Collectanea	Number of Pages	2
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering
Penner		Watermarks	C WILMOTT 1819
Marginals		Paper Producer	Andreas Louriottis
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year	1818
Notes public		ID Number	35811
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