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).

C.H. COOPER.

Cambridge, Feb. 23. 1850.


"E.V.," after quoting the passage given by Mr. Cooper from Anthony Wood,
proceeds:--

It is clear from Owen's epigram that there was some kind of _salting_ at
Oxford as well as at Cambridge; is it not at least probable that they
were both identical with the custom described by old Anthony, and that
the charge made in the college book was for _the cawdle_ mentioned
above, as provided at the freshman's expense; the whole ceremony going
under the name of "salting," from the salt and water potion, which was
the most important constituent of it? If this be so, it agrees with Dr.
Maitland's idea, that "this 'salting' was some entertainment given by
the newcomer, from and after which he ceases to be fresh;" or, as Wood
expresses it, "he took his place among the seniors."

The "tucks" he speaks of could have been no very agreeable addition to
the salted beer; for, as he himself explains it, a few lines above, "to