that C. F, Montagu was drowned near Windsor Bridge, and such an effect had this calamity, that the masters thenceforth ordained that beating should he formally recognised, and that no boy should be allowed to get into a boat until he had passed an examination in swimming. One or two masters were appointed river masters, Bathing-places were made at Athens, Upper Hope, and Cuckoo Weir, and the eighth and sixth form were allowed to bathe in Boyeney Weir. No boy might bathe at any place but Cuckoo Weir until he had passed. Watermen were engaged to teach swimming, and be ready with their punts at bathing-places and elsewhere to watch the boys on the river, to prevent accidents and report unlawful acts. Bathing is permitted as soon after the Easter holidays as weather is warm enough, and two days a weck the river masters attend at Cuckoo Weir for ‘Passing.’ This cxamination (so much pleasanter than any other) is conducted as follows: a number of boys whom the waterman thinks proficient enough appear undressed in a punt. A pole is stuck up in the water Gwhich is out of depth at the place) about thirty yards off ; the master stands on a high place called Acropolis, and as he calls the name, each in turn takes a header and swims round the pole once or twice. He must not only be able to take a header and swim the distance, but must also swim in approved form so as to be capable of swimming in his clothes. Since ‘ passing’ was established there has been only one bay drowned, though many are swamped under all kinds of circumstances. A boy who has not passed belongs to the class called ‘non nant.’
The Thames at Eton has changed somewhat from what it was in the ‘old times.’ Boveney and Bray Locks were made in 1839, and before that the river was much more rapid, and there was no sandbank at Tower Hope. At the weir below Windsor Bridge the fall of water was not so great as it is now, and many a boy used to amuse himself in the dangerous adven- ture of shooting the weir in a skiff or funny.
Although boating was formally recognised by the masters in 1840, it is a fact that the first racc honoured by the presence of
