ETON, a parish in the hundred of STOKE, county of BUCKINGHAM, 1 mile (N.) from Windsor, and 23 (W. by S.) from London, containing 2475 inhabitants. This place, which is chiefly distinguished for its public school, is pleasantly situated in a valley on the north bank of the river Thames, by which it is separated from Windsor, and over which is a neat iron bridge, supported on piers of stone. The village consists principally of one street well paved and lighted by means of a highway rate, and is supplied with water by a company whose works also supply the town and castle of Windsor: the houses are in general neatly built, and there are several boarding-houses for the accommodation of those students who do not reside in the college. The site on which the college stands is said to be extra-parochial, but the usual rites and ceremonies of the church were formerly performed, for the benefit of the parishioners, in the collegiate church. The college was originally founded by Henry VI., in 1440, for a provost, ten priests, six clerks, six choristers, twenty-five poor grammar scholars, with a master to instruct them, and twenty-five almsmen, and directed to be called " The College Roiall of our Ladie of Eton, beside Windesor;" and though deprived of part of its endowment by Edward IV., it was especially exempted in the act of dissolution, at which time its revenue was estimated at £1101. 13. 7. The present establishment consists of a provost, vice-provost, six fellows, two masters, with assistants, seven clerks, seventy Icing's scholars, ten choristers, and inferior officers and servants. The number of independent scholars, the sons of noblemen and gentlemen, is generally from three to four hundred. Scholars on the foundation are entitled to fellowships and scholarships in King's College, Cambridge, for which purpose there is an annual election, but they are not removed till vacancies occur, to which they succeed according to seniority, and on three years' residence at the college are entitled to a fellowship. For those who do not succeed in obtaining an election to King's College, there are two scholarships founded in Merton College, Oxford, in 1582, by the Rev. John Chamber, and augmented in 1754, by the Rev. George Vernon, of which one is in the patronage of the Provost of Eton, and the other in that of the Provost of King's College; three exhibitions, of £20 each per annum, founded in Pembroke College, Oxford, by the Rev. Francis Rouse, Provost of Eton, with preference to his relatives; two scholarships, one of £48, and one of £42, for superannuated collegers, in the patronage of the Provost; and one of £42 per annum for an actual scholar of King's College, in the patronage of the Head Master of Eton, founded by Provost Davies; three exhibitions, founded in Exeter College, by the Rev. Dr. John Reynolds, in the patronage of the Provost and Fellows of Eton; one by-fellowship and one scholarship, of £ 6 per annum each, founded in Catherine Hall, Cambridge, for scholars of Eton, or Merchant Taylors school. The Rev. Mr. Chamberlayne, Fellow of Eton, bequeathed an estate in Norfolk, producing £ 87 per annum, for founding scholarships for superannuated collegers; and Mr. Bryant bequeathed £30 per annum, for one or more additional scholarships, at the discretion of the provost. The buildings comprise two spacious quadrangles, communicating by an ancient tower-gateway of great beauty; in the centre of the outer quadrangle is a bronze statue of the royal founder; on the south side are an elegant chapel in the later style of English architecture, strengthened with enriched buttresses, and ornamented with a pierced parapet and pinnacles, and the school, divided into the upper and lower school (each of which is subdivided into three classes), besides lodgings for the masters and scholars on the foundation: the inner quadrangle contains apartments for the provost and fellows, and the library, a handsome building, containing one of the best collections in Europe, having been augmented with numerous magnificent contributions from various benefactors; some very valuable paintings, drawings, and oriental manuscripts, enrich this depository of rare and curious productions. In the provost's apartments is a portrait, on panel, of Jane Shore, which is said to be an original. The grounds for recreation and exercise, on the north-west side of the college, are extensive, and beautifully shaded by a lengthened avenue of stately trees; and the bounds of the college are marked by stones set up in various places. To mention the many eminent characters which this noble institution has produced, would be to enumerate a very considerable portion of the most distinguished names which history has recorded in the proud list of British heroes, statesmen, scholars, and divines. A custom, designated the Montem, is triennially observed by the scholars on Whit-Tuesday, which, though its origin is involved in obscurity, has certainly existed from the reign of Elizabeth, and, most probably, from the very foundation of the college, as it is included in the list presented to the queen, when on a visit here, " of the ceremonies observed from its foundation." The chief object of this ceremony is to collect "salt money," and by the procession advancing to a small tumulus, on the south side of the Bath road, the spot has acquired the name of Salt Hill, which is celebrated for its extensive posting inns. The scholars appointed to collect the money are called " salt-bearers," and are arrayed in silk, of various colours, assisted by " scouts," also dressed in silk, of less striking appearance. Immense numbers of people assemble to witness the procession, and scholars are placed on all the neighbouring roads to levy " salt money," which, as the custom is viewed as an innocent diversion, attended with a positive benefit, nearly the whole neighbourhood make a point of offering. George III. and his royal consort, with characteristic condescension, almost invariably participated in this juvenile festivity, by offering their contributions; and his present Majesty George IV. has, with equal beneficence, contributed £100 ateach Montem. Every contributor on these occasions is furnished with a ticket, exempting him from any further demand. The sum collected has frequently exceeded £1000, which, after deducting the necessary expenses of the day, is given to the senior scholar, called the Captain of the school, on his removal to Cambridge, and usually forms an ample provision for him while at the University. There is not any particular branch of trade carried on . a fair is held annually on Ash-Wednesday, for horses and cattle. The living is a rectory, in the peculiar jurisdiction and incumbency of the Provost of Eton College. The church, dedicated to St. Mary and St. Nicholas, is collegiate, and was frequented by the parishioners prior to the erection of a neat chapel in the centre of the town, by Mr. Hetherington, late fellow of the college, for the accommodation of the inhabitants. A charity school was founded by Mark Anthony, formerly French master at Eton College, who endowed it with funds for the instruction of sixty boys and thirty girls. An almshouse for ten poor widows was founded by Dr. Godolphin, formerly provost of Eton College; and an annual income of about £ 120 is appropriated to the apprenticing of children; there are also other charitable bequests .for the benefit of the poor. William Oughtred, an eminent mathematician, is stated to have been born here in 1573.