It was not in expectation of being praised for it that Laura had been generous, and therefore everybody was really touched with the history of the weaving-pillow; and whilst they praised, felt a certain degree of respect, which is not always felt by those who pour forth eulogiums.

_Respect_ is not an improper word, even applied to a child of Laura's age; for let the age or situation of the person be what it may, they command respect who deserve it.

'Ah, madam!' said Rosamond to her G.o.dmother, 'now you see--you see she is _not_ a little miser. I'm sure that's better than wasting half a guinea upon a filigree basket; is it not, ma'am?' said she, with an eagerness which showed that she had forgotten all her own misfortunes in sympathy with her sister. 'This is being _really generous_, father, is it not?'

'Yes, Rosamond,' said her father, and he kissed her; 'this _is_ being really generous. It is not only by giving away money that we can show generosity; it is by giving up to others anything that we like ourselves; and therefore,' added he, smiling, 'it is really generous of you to give your sister the thing you like best of all others.'

'The thing I like the best of all others, father,' said Rosamond, half pleased, half vexed. 'What is that, I wonder? You don't mean _praise_, do you, sir?' 'Nay, you must decide that yourself, Rosamond.' 'Why, sir,' said she, ingenuously, 'perhaps it _was_ ONCE the thing I liked best; but the pleasure I have just felt makes me like something else much better.'

ETON MONTEM

[_Extracted from the 'Courier' of May 1799._]

'Yesterday this triennial ceremony took place, with which the public are too well acquainted to require a particular description. A collection, called _Salt_, is taken from the public, which forms a purse, to support the Captain of the School in his studies at Cambridge. This collection is made by the Scholars, dressed in fancy dresses, all round the country.

'At eleven o'clock, the youths being a.s.sembled in their habiliments at the College, the Royal Family set off from the Castle to see them, and, after walking round the Courtyard, they proceeded to Salt Hill in the following order:--

'His Majesty, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and the Earl of Uxbridge.

'Their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Kent and c.u.mberland, Earl Morton, and General Gwynne, all on horseback, dressed in the Windsor uniform, except the Prince of Wales, who wore a suit of dark blue, and a brown surtout over.

'Then followed the Scholars, preceded by the Marechal Serjeant, the Musicians of the Staffordshire Band, and Mr. Ford, Captain of the Seminary, the Serjeant-Major, Serjeants, Colonels, Corporals, Musicians, Ensign, Lieutenant, Steward, Salt-Bearers, Polemen, and Runners.

'The cavalcade was brought up by Her Majesty and her amiable daughters in two carriages, and a numerous company of equestrians and pedestrians, all eager to behold their Sovereign and his family. Among the former, Lady Lade was foremost in the throng; only two others dared venture their persons on horseback in such a mult.i.tude.

'The King and Royal Family were stopped on Eton Bridge by Messrs. Young and Mansfield, the Salt-Bearers, to whom their Majesties delivered their customary donation of fifty guineas each.

'At Salt Hill, His Majesty, with his usual affability, took upon himself to arrange the procession round the Royal carriages; and even when the horses were taken off, with the a.s.sistance of the Duke of Kent, fastened the traces round the pole of the coaches, to prevent any inconvenience.

'An exceeding heavy shower of rain coming on, the Prince took leave, and went to the "Windmill Inn" till it subsided. The King and his attendants weathered it out in their greatcoats.

'After the young gentlemen walked round the carriage, Ensign Vince and the Salt-Bearers proceeded to the summit of the hill; but the wind being boisterous, he could not exhibit his dexterity in displaying his flag, and the s.p.a.ce being too small before the carriages, from the concourse of spectators, the King kindly acquiesced in not having it displayed under such inconvenience.

'Their Majesties and the Princesses then returned home, the King occasionally stopping to converse with the Dean of Windsor, the Earl of Harrington, and other n.o.blemen.

'The Scholars partook of an elegant dinner at the "Windmill Inn," and in the evening walked on Windsor Terrace.

'Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duke of c.u.mberland, after taking leave of their Majesties, set off for town, and honoured the Opera House with their presence in the evening.

'The profit arising from the Salt collected, according to account, amounted to 800.

'The Stadtholder, the Duke of Gordon, Lord and Lady Melbourne, Viscount Brome, and a numerous train of fashionable n.o.bility were present.

'The following is an account of their dresses, made as usual, very handsomely, by Mrs. Snow, milliner, of Windsor:--

'Mr. Ford, Captain, with eight Gentlemen to attend him as servitors.

'Mr. Sarjeant, Marechal.

'Mr. Bradith, Colonel.

'Mr. Plumtree, Lieutenant.

'Mr. Vince, Ensign.

'Mr. Young, College Salt-Bearer; white and gold dress, rich satin bag, covered with gold netting.

'Mr. Mansfield, Oppidin, white, purple, and orange dress, trimmed with silver; rich satin bag, purple and silver: each carrying elegant poles, with gold and silver cord.

'Mr. Keity, yellow and black velvet; helmet trimmed with silver.

'Mr. Bartelot, plain mantle and sandals, Scotch bonnet, a very Douglas.

'Mr. Knapp, flesh-colour and blue; Spanish hat and feathers.

'Mr. Ripley, rose-colour; helmet.

'Mr. Islip (being in mourning), a scarf; helmet, black velvet; and white satin.

'Mr. Tomkins, violet and silver; helmet.

'Mr. Thackery, lilac and silver; Roman cap.

'Mr. Drury, mazarin blue; fancy cap.

'Mr. Davis, slate-colour and straw.

'Mr. Routh, pink and silver; Spanish hat.

'Mr. Curtis, purple; fancy cap.

'Mr. Lloyd, blue; ditto.

'At the conclusion of the ceremony the Royal Family returned to Windsor, and the boys were all sumptuously entertained at the tavern at Salt Hill. About six in the evening all the boys returned in the order of procession, and, marching round the great square of Eton, were dismissed. The Captain then paid his respects to the Royal Family, at the Queen's Lodge, Windsor, previously to his departure for King's College, Cambridge, to defray which expense the produce of the Montem was presented to him.

'The day concluded by a brilliant promenade of beauty, rank, and fashion on Windsor Terrace, enlivened by the performance of several bands of music.

'The origin of the procession is from the custom by which the Manor was held.

'The custom of hunting the Ram belonged to Eton College, as well as the custom of Salt; but it was discontinued by Dr. Cook, late Dean of Ely.

Now this custom we know to have been entered on the register of the Royal Abbey of Bee, in Normandy, as one belonging to the Manor of East or Great Wrotham, in Norfolk, given by Ralph de Toni to the Abbey of Bee, and was as follows:--When the harvest was finished, the tenants were to have half an acre of barley, and a ram let loose; and if they caught him he was their own to make merry with, but if he escaped from them he was the Lord's. The Etonians, in order to secure the ram, houghed him in the Irish fashion, and then attacked him with great clubs. The cruelty of this proceeding brought it into disuse, and now it exists no longer.--_See Register of the Royal Abbey of Bee_, folio 58.

'After the dissolution of the alien priories, in 1414, by the Parliament of Leicester, they remained in the Crown till Henry VI., who gave Wrotham Manor to Eton College; and if the Eton Fellows would search, they would perhaps find the Manor in their possession, that was held by the custom of Salt.'

MEN