The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-01 00:00:00

ETON MONTEM.
• 41
On Friday afternoon a meeting of noblemen and gentlemen
educated at Eton was held at the British Hotel, Cockspur-
street, Charing-cross, for the purpose cf taking measures to
prevent the proposed suppression of Eton Montem. Amongst
the noblemen and gentlemen present were the Marquis of
Londonderry, Lord Castlereagh, M.P., Lord John Manners,
M.P., Lord Alfred Hervey, the Hon. Edward Upton, Ralph
Neville, Esq., M.P., &c. &c.
The following resolution was proposed :—" That this meet-
ing views with sorrow any changes likely to lessen the inter-
course of Etonians." . _

RALPH NEVILLE, Esq., M.P. for Windsor, said that these
were not days when a time-honoured institution should be
sent to the dogs without any just cause. He moved, That
the meeting is of opinion that Eton Montem is useful in
bringing together men of all aces, stations, and opinions, and
that its present inconveniences are capable of control."
Mr. Commissioner BULLOCK seconded the resolutior, which
was put from the chair, and carried unanimously.
The Ref. Joilx WILDER said that her Majesty had ex-
pressed her great reluctance to see the Montem discontinued,
aad as the abuses might be remedied, he had no doubt that
the object of the meeting would be successful. lie proposed
a motion to the effect that the authorities should allow an.
opportunity to' all old Etonians to express their opinion be-
fore a decision is made.
Lord Cam-maul:ill, M.P., seconded the resolution, and
said that in discussing the question they should not con.
sider the boy who became " captain," or the suppression of
Montem as it affected him, but should confine heir atten-
tion to the 'broad principle. They should make up their
minds that the abuses of Montem should be got rid of, and
if instead the custom were altogether discontinued, then
they must protest against it. They should get as many sig-
natures as possible to a petition to her Majesty, for by a ge-
neral expression of their opinion he bad no doubt they would
succeed. _ _

. The Marquis of 1,0711/.;NDWIRT sari .that fie would-wil-
lingly lend his humble aid to prevent the destruction of their
Montem. It was now 50 years since lie was a scholar at
Eton, and truly could he say that he never spent his time
so happily as when visiting the scenes of his youth. As re..
garded the suppression of Montem, he doubted very much
whether the authorities had the power of doing what they
contemplated. 'What return would they make to the "c4p-
tain" for his loss? How would they remunerate him? He
did not think that the authorities could be guilty of an act
of such gross injustice as to put an end to the custotn-with-
out compensating the sufferer. He implored them to use
their best exertions, to use all their influence, and they
might still preserve Montem. The Noble Marquis then
moved that a committee be appointed to draw up a memo-
rial to her Majesty, expressing the sense of those Etenians
who are favourable to the preservation of the Eton Montem,
and that a copy be forwarded to the Provost, Head-Master,
and Fellows. _

JAMES BUTLER, Esq., having seconded the resolution, it
was carried. •
It was resolved that another meeting should be held shortly
to carry out the desired object.