Extracts from the Diary of William Bray | Page 4

and Mrs. Fortery there: they played at quadrille. I went home for an hour, and went again, played and supped there. Home a little before 12.
9th.--Carried Mr. Haydon his appointment as a Trustee of the Turnpike; he gave me 5s. After the meeting the trustees went to Mr. P. Flutter's; {3} they sent for me about 8, to play at cards. {4} I played at whisk with Mr. Flutter, Mr. J. Martyr, and Mrs. Flutter: won every game. Home about one; won 3s. 6d.
10th.--Mr. Duncumb {5} dined here. He and I went to Mrs. Wilpley's, {6} but she not being at home, we went to the 'White Hart' and spent the evening, and supped there.
12th.--With Mr. Martyr in his postchaise to London, to Clare, and drank tea with him. To Drury Lane playhouse, but could not get in, so we went to the Robin Hood Society, and stayed till after 10. The question was, whether the increase of unmarried people was owing to the men's greater bashfulness, or women's greater coyness, than formerly.
13th.--Went to Drury Lane house: 'Tancred and Sigismunda.' Garrick, Tancred; Mrs. Cibber, Sigismunda.
14th.--To Covent Garden, 'Orpheus and Euridice.'
15th.--Drank tea at Mrs. Emily's {7}; played at cards. Home at 11.
16th.--Came home with Mr. Martyr in his new chaise by 6.
18th.--Dined at Mr. P. Flutter's; walked up Berry Field with Miss Flutter's, Miss Nancy Steere, and Miss Parson.
22nd.--To Mr. Bullen's to dinner, played at quadrille. Came home about 1.
24th.--Between 6 and 7 with Mr. Duncumb and Mr. Wakeford, to the 'Tuns' to drink a glass of wine. Mr. Punter, came in afterwards, Mr. Hallamby, Mr. Stovold and Harry Stovold. Home at 10.
29th.--To the Assembly, but there not being enough to dance, Miss Sally Flutter, Miss Parson, Mr. Ford and I sat down to loo, till between 11 and 12.
31st.--A man having taken a shop in Stoke, sometime ago, and selling goods vastly under the usual price, Mr. Haydon set up a shop against him, of whom I bought this morning four pair of gloves, at 7d. a pair; riding gloves, 9d.; and a pair of other gloves, 8d.
Feb. 2nd.--An hour after dinner, Miss Stevens came in.
6th.--This day being appointed for a public Fast on account of the great earthquake at Lisbon, to Middle Church.
9th.--I was bled this morning for the first time. Mrs. Martyr being about to inoculate Master Jacky, {8} and I intended to be inoculated at the same time. Drank tea with Mrs. Wilpley, and read the new farce of 'The Apprentice' to her. Gave Mr. Haydon for three pair of white silk stockings, 7s. 6d. a pair, being 4s. a pair cheaper than common.
12th.--Turnpike meeting. We all dined and spent the evening at Mr. Flutter's. Played at Pope Joan till 12.
27th.--This is evening, I, Master Jacky, and the maid were inoculated. {9}
March 5th.--Master Jacky was taken with the symptoms, and did not come out of his chamber for a week.
7th.--I was quite easy this morning, when the smallpox began appearing; a restless night, a slight fever.
12th.--I was blind to-day, and continued so till the 16th.
April 2nd.--Master Jacky and I went for an airing round the course, in the chaise, to-day.
17th.--To Bramley, breakfasted at the 'Jolly Farmer,' paid for breakfast, 6d.
21st.--Walked with Miss Molly Flutter and Miss Parson, beyond Cross Lanes.
29th.--Drank tea at Mrs. Leeves', with Miss Lavant and Miss More. Walked with them and Miss Leeves up Warwick's Bench and part of Velvet Walk; then played at quadrille. Home 11.
May 1st.--Drank tea there again. Quadrille.
20th.--Richard the man went for a week to the Peasemarch to be aired; he catched the smallpox coming to us. Paid for a cheesecake for Jacky, 1d.
22nd.--War with France proclaimed at Guildford; the soldiers drawn up in arms, and with music went before the Mayor, &c. Went to see the wire-dancer; he tossed the straw very well, he laid a board on the wire and sat on it himself with three children and a dog in full swing; on the whole quite silly.
23rd, Sunday.--To Stoke Church, afterwards to the Bowling-green, and had a syllabub with Rawlins, Ford, Mellersh, Mersing, W. Parson, Hallomby, and Elkins. Walked up the Velvet Walk with them.
25th.--Sir Charles Howard reviewed his regiment in the Artillery Ground. With Parvish to the 'White Hart,' and gave him a bottle of wine, which I owed him for teaching me on the flute.
June 6th, Sunday.--To Lower Church; to the 'White Hart,' with Stares, Harbroe and Mellersh, had some cold tankard. Mellersh and I walked up Warwick Bench; and in the hop-ground at the bottom of Velvet Walk, met Rawlins and Ford, who went with us.
9th.--To the Assembly. Danced with Miss Fanny Yalden, who dances very well. Paid Assembly 2s. 6d.; negus, 1s.
10th.--Lost at bowls, 6d. Called on Miss Yalden, at Miss Roker's. Paid for a lobster for my supper, 3d.
21st.--Went a fishing, with