In reply to the query of the Rev. Dr. Maitland (No. 17. p. 261.), I
would remark, that _Salting_ was the ceremony of initiating a freshman
into the company of senior students or sophisters. This appears very
clearly from a passage in the _Life of Anthony a Wood_ (ed. 1771, pp.
45-50.). Anthony a Wood was matriculated in the University of Oxford,
26th May, 1647, and on the 18th of October "he was entered into the
Buttery-Book of Merton College." At various periods, from All Saints
till Candlemas, "there were Fires of Charcole made in the Common hall."
"At all these Fires every Night, which began to be made a little
after five of the clock, the Senior Under-Graduats would bring
into the hall the Juniors or Freshmen between that time and six
of the clock, and there make them sit down on a Forme in the
middle of the Hall, joyning to the Declaiming Desk: which done,
every one in Order was to speake some pretty Apothegme, or make
a Jest or Bull, or speake some eloquent Nonsense, to make the
Company laugh: But if any of the Freshmen came off dull or not
cleverly, some of the forward or pragmatical Seniors would
_Tuck_ them, that is, set the nail of their Thumb to their chin,
just under the Lipp, and by the help of their other Fingers
under the Chin, they would give him a chuck, which sometimes
would produce Blood. On Candlemas day, or before (according as
Shrove Tuesday fell out), every Freshman had warning given him
to provide his Speech, to be spoken in the publick Hall before
the Under-Graduats and Servants on Shrove-Tuesday night that
followed, being alwaies the time for the observation of that
Ceremony. According to the said Summons A. Wood provided a
Speech as the other Freshmen did.
"Shrove Tuesday Feb. 15, the Fire being made in the Common hall
before 5 of the Clock at night, the Fellowes would go to Supper
before six, and making an end sooner than at other times, they
left the Hall to the Libertie of the Undergraduats, but with an
Admonition from one of the Fellowes (who was the Principall of
the Undergraduats and Postmasters) that all things should be
carried in good Order. While they were at Supper in the Hall,
the Cook (Will. Noble) was making the lesser of the brass pots
full of Cawdle at the Freshmens Charge; which, after the Hall
was free from the Fellows, was brought up and set before the
Fire in the said Hall. Afterwards every Freshman, according to
seniority, was to pluck off his Gowne and Band, and if possible
to make himself look like a Scoundrell. This done, they were
conducted each after the other to the high Table, and there made
to stand on a Forme placed thereon; from whence they were to
speak their Speech with an audible voice to the Company: which,
if well done, the person that spoke it was to have a Cup of
Cawdle and no _salted Drinke_; if indifferently, some Cawdle and
some _salted Drinke_; but if dull, nothing was given to him but
_salted Drinke_ or _salt_ put in College Bere, with Tucks to
book. Afterwards when they were to be admitted into the
Fraternity, the Senior Cook was to administer to them an Oath
over an old Shoe, part of which runs thus: _Item tu jurabis,
quot penniless bench non visitabis, &c._: the rest is forgotten,
and none there are that now remembers it. After which spoken
with gravity, the Freshman kist the Shoe, put on his Gowne and
Band, and took his place among the Seniors."
Mr. Wood gives part of his speech, which is ridiculous enough. It
appears that it was so satisfactory that he had cawdle and sack without
and salted drink. He concludes thus:--
"This was the way and custome that had been used in the College,
time out of mind, to initiate the Freshmen; but between that
time and the restoration of K. Ch. 2. it was disused, and now
such a thing is absolutely forgotten."
The editors in a note intimate that it was probable the custom was not
peculiar to Merton College, and that it was perhaps once general, as
striking traces of it might be found in many societies in Oxford, and in
some a very near resemblance of it had been kept up until within a few
years of that time (1772).