Vlli 
INTRODUCTION* 
Montagu 
House. 
down in the Act,netted thesumof <£95,194. 8?. 2d, 
This sum, together with the several collections 
purchased and granted as above stated. Parlia¬ 
ment vested in an incorporate body of Trustees* 
consisting of the first characters in the kingdom 
for rank, station, and literary fame ; at the same 
time conferring on them ample powers to take 
such measures as they should deem expedient for 
the disposal, preservation, and management of 
the Institution, which it was now determined 
should bear the name of the British Museum. 
The first act of these Trustees was to provide 
a proper building for the reception of the ample 
collections confided to their care; and after va¬ 
rious proposals, they at length fixed upon the 
noble mansion, built about the year 1680, by 
Balph first Duke of Montagu, who being at that 
time Ambassador at Paris, sent over French artists 
for erecting and adorning the edifice he had in 
contemplation. This palace, together with its 
gardens and appurtenances, occupying in the 
whole an area of seven acres and twenty perches 
of land, was ceded by the representatives of 
the Montagu family for the moderate sum of 
£ 10 , 000 . 
The necessary repairs (which, the house ha¬ 
ving 
