, and the Provost and Head Master determined
that it should end, but, that the boy who benefited by it should not be a
loser, the latter, Dr. Hawtrey, gave him 200 pounds out of his own
pocket. The following is an account of the death and burial of Eton
"Montem":

"Tuesday, 25 May.--This being the day on which the triennial festival
of 'Montem' would have been celebrated at Eton and Salt Hill, had it
not been abolished by the Provost and the authorities of Eton,
considerable excitement prevailed in the vicinity of the College from
an early hour this morning, in consequence (from rumours which had
been in circulation for some time past) of its being apprehended that
some 'demonstration' would be made by the boys, assisted by several
old Etonians from Oxford and Cambridge (who are strongly opposed to
the abolition of the ceremony), which might lead to a breach of the
peace. With the exception of about a thousand small squares of glass
being demolished in the vicinity of the lower school, and similar
breakages, but to a much smaller extent, at the houses of parties who
were supposed to be in favour of the determination which had been
come to by the Provost, we have heard of no demonstration of a
riotous character on the part of the boys. This being a 'whole
holiday,' several of the head boys had permission to proceed in
boats, up the Thames, for the day, as far as Cliefden. Between 100
and 200 have, also, left for the Whitsun holidays; thus thinning the
number remaining at College to a considerable extent.

[Picture: Dresses, Eton "Montem." 1844]

"As soon as 'absence' had been called by the head master, the Rev.
Dr. Hawtrey, shortly after 12 o'clock, the boys, numbering between
200 and 300, formed in procession in the playing fields, and marched
across the fields, preceded by a black flag, to the celebrated mount
at Salt Hill. They were joined by a great many of the old Etonians
from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, who arrived at Eton
this morning. Each wore, on his left arm, a band and rosette of
black crape, and many had white hatbands and scarves. As they were
seen wending their way towards Salt Hill, they had all the appearance
of mourners (merry though they might be) in a funeral procession.
Upon their arrival at the Mount, the black flag was waved in solemn