Extracts from the Diary of William Bray | Page 4

was laid out in purchases at Shere and in planting,
and he left no personal property except his life insurances. The family
estate devolved on his death to his grandson Edward, who lived at
Shere, and died in 1866, at the age of 72.

EXTRACTS

1756, Jan. 1st.--Called on Miss Stevens {2} this morning. With Mr.
Boughton and Shotter to Mr. Shrubb's at Shalford, to spend the evening.
We played at loo, came home a little after 11.
7th.--Drank tea at Mrs. Westbrook's. Mr. 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.