87 
- Rena of Grarge Mantagu, 
By Mr. Wri11am Cunniveron, F.G.S. 
No apology can be necessary for bringing before the notice of 
the Wiltshire Natural History Society, the memoir of a native of 
the county, who was undoubtedly one of the first naturalists of his 
age. Very few comparatively among the many distinguished 
natives of Wiltshire, can be said to have obtained much celebrity 
in natural science. The late Lieutenant-Colonel George Montagu, 
however, possessed talents of the highest order, and by his writings 
and researches, rendered most important and lasting service to 
English Natural History. 
I am indebted to the kindness of Mrs. L. M. Crawford, his 
daughter, for many of the particulars contained in the following 
sketch of his life. 
George Montagu was born in the year 1755 at Lackham House, 
the ancient seat of his family in North Wiltshire. He was the son 
of James Montagu, Esq., of Lackham, and Elinor, sole surviving 
daughter of William Hedges, Esq., of Alderton; and was descended 
from the Honorable James Montagu, third son of Henry first Earl 
of Manchester, who, in the reign of Charles I. by marriage with 
Mary, daughter and heir of Sir Robert Baynard of Lackham, 
- obtained the estate. 
The old mansion at Lackham (now destroyed) from its antiquity 
and the number of curious relics it contained, deserves a passing 
notice. It exhibited specimens of the architecture of various 
periods from the Norman downwards, and presented the appearance 
of rude grandeur, rather than the beauty of regular architectural 
proportion. It stood completely embosomed in woods. The great 
hall was hung round with armour. The banqueting room was floor- 
ed with the native oak of the estate in the reign of Henry the 
