Salt ad Montem

*Salt* is an old metaphor for money, cash, pay; derived, says Arbuthnot, from *salt's* being part of the pay of the Roman soldiers; hence *salarium, salary*, and the levying contributions at *Salt* Hill. Your Querist will find several explanations of the Eton Montem in the *Gentleman's Magazine*; and a special account of the ceremony, its origin and circumstances, in Lyson's *Mag. Brit.* i. 557.