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ETON 763 afterward obtained by excavating 35 ft. into the solid lava. This lava current was so hot at Catania eight years after it entered the town, that it was impossible to hold the hand in some of the crevices. The great lava current as it flowed into the sea had spread over a width of 600 yards, and its depth was estimated at 40 ft. The water was thrown into violent commotion. Sounds louder and more terrific than peals of thunder were constantly sent forth, and the light of the sun was darkened by the clouds of vapor. The fish were destroyed along the coast, and many months passed before the water became again clear and transparent. The eruption of 1755 is remarkable for a great inundation caused by the flow of two streams of lava upon a vast collection of snow. For 8 m. down the flanks of the mountain the tor- rent poured, sweeping on the loose scoria and blocks of lava, which were deposited in the plains below. The inhabitants believed that the water was discharged from the crater it- self, and the stories of its saltness and of the ma- rine shells contained in it are still found in the popular accounts of this eruption. ETON, a town of Buck- inghamshire, England, on the left bank of the Thames, opposite Wind- sor, 22 m. W. of London by road ; pop. about 3,000. Its college, the most celebrated of Eng- lish public schools, was founded by Henry VI. in 1440, and endowed by a gift from his own de- mesne lands and those belonging to some prio- ries whose revenues had been appropriated to re- ligious houses abroad. The original foundation consisted of a provost, 10 priests or fellows, 4 clerks, 6 choristers, a master, 25 poor schol- ars, and as many poor men, or beadsmen. Henry VI. at the same time founded King's college, Cambridge, to which Eton was to^be preparatory. The first stone of the building was laid July 3, 1441. In 1443 Henry VI. increased the number of scholars to 70 and reduced the beadsmen to 13. At present the foundation consists of a provost appointed by the crown, a vice provost, 6 fellows, 2 chap- lains called conducts, 10 lay clerks, 10 choris- ters, besides inferior officers and servants, and 70 scholars, who since the reign of George III. have been called " king's scholars." As Eton was a Lancastrian foundation, it suffered under the rule of the house of York, and was cur- tailed by Edward IV. of many of its posses- sions. More fortunate under the Tudors, Eton was specially excepted from the act of parlia- ment passed in the time of Henry VIII. for the dissolution of colleges and chantries. At this period its revenues were estimated at 1,100. In 1506 the total income was 652. Its pres- ent income is about 7,000. The college buildings consist of two quadrangles, built partly of freestone, but chiefly of brick. The scholars on the foundation are lodged and boarded in the college, and by way of distinc- tion are called collegers. They are admissible from the age of 8 to 16, and, unless put on the roll for admission to King's college at 17, are superannuated and obliged to leave at 18. If put on the roll, they may continue till 19. The foundation scholars must be born in England, of parents lawfully married. By the statutes they should be instructed gratis and clothed in some coarse uniform, but in neither of these points are the statutes adhered to. The sum of 6 or 7 per annum is charged to the pa- rents of every foundation scholar who are able to pay it. Every year the 12 head boys are Eton College. put on the roll of King's college, but continue at Eton until there is a vacancy or until super- annuated. At King's college the Etonians are maintained free of expense, and after three years tbey succeed to fellowships. On an ave- rage four scholars go to King's college yearly. There are also two scholarships at Merton col- lege Oxford, for foundation scholars who are not 'elected for King's college. These latter are called portionistce, or by corruption, post- masters. In 1842 Prince Albert instituted an annual prize of 50 for proficiency in the mod- ern languages. The larger number of Etonians are not on the foundation, and are called oppi- dans; they do not board in the college. Ihe annual expenses of an oppidan amount to about 150 or 200. The sixth form is the highest in the school, and is limited in number to 22 ; of these the highest 10 are styled monitors, and the head boy is called the captain. Ihe