Extracts from the Diary of William Bray, Esq. 1760 1800
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William Bray >> Extracts from the Diary of William Bray, Esq. 1760 1800
This etext was prepared by David Price, email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk
from the 1876 Spottiswoode & Co. edition.
EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF WILLIAM BRAY
by William Bray
These extracts are printed for the gratification of Mr. Bray's
descendants; who will see in them a remarkable instance of a life
of sociability and amusement, combined with great and successful
industry.
More extracts would have only shewn the same activity and pursuits.
MEMOIR
Mr. Bray was born at Shere, on the 15th of November, 1736. He was
the youngest of the three sons who survived their father Edward
Bray, Esq. George the eldest, who was in the Church, and the
second son Edward, who was in the Army, both died unmarried; and,
on the death of George the survivor, in 1803, Mr. Bray succeeded to
the possession of the Manors of Shere and Gumshall, which had
belonged to his ancestors from the reign of Henry the Eighth. When
ten years old he was placed at Rugby, where he remained until he
was articled to Mr. Martyr, an Attorney of Guildford. In 1761, he
was appointed a Clerk of the Board of Green Cloth, at St. James's,
through the patronage of Sir John Evelyn. His attendance at the
Board did not prevent his practising as an Attorney, and it
introduced him to many clients. In 1777, he published a 'Tour in
Derbyshire and Yorkshire,' and a second edition of it in 1783. In
1797, he was chosen one of the Council, and a few years afterwards
Treasurer, of the Society of Antiquaries, many of his
communications to which are printed in the 'Archaeologia.' In
1801, on the death of the Revd. Mr. Manning, who had been engaged
for some years in compiling the 'History of Surrey,' Mr. Bray
undertook to complete the work. The first volume was published in
1804, the second in 1809, and the third in 1814. His next and last
literary undertaking was the editing of the 'Evelyn Memoirs,' which
he completed in 1817. {1} Although in his 80th year, he
transcribed in his own handwriting nearly the whole of Mr. Evelyn's
Journal.
He died from weakness, and without any disorder, on the 21st of
December, 1832, having entered his 97th year on the 15th of the
preceding month.
His habits before marriage did not promise either an industrious or
a very long life. He spent almost every night at cards, and many
of his mornings in other amusements. After his marriage he became
more attentive to his professional business; but he continued for
many years to live more like a bachelor than a married man,
spending most of his evenings in the society of his numerous
friends, or at a coffee-house. He was very hospitable both in bed
and board, but in the plainest way. His surplus income 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.
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 Mr. Adderley and Mr. Mellersh; Miss
Sally Flutter went with us; little sport. I got none out of the
water.
26th.--Drank tea and supper at Mrs. Leeves'. Played at whisk; I
won every game.
28th.--To the Bowling-green. Played seven games. Paid for a
scarlet waistcoat, 1 pound 1s.
July 11th.--To Shalford Church. Afterwards a syllabub. Miss
Flutter, Miss Gardner and I walked to Woodbridge.
Aug. 2nd.--After dinner, asked Miss Jeale and Miss Westbrooks to
come and drink a syllabub with me, (Mr. and Mrs. Martyr were gone
to Chichester{10}), but afterwards Miss Jeale sent me word they
could not come, and I must go thither; I did and played at
quadrille.
15th, Sunday.--To the Lower Church. Afterwards walked with
Mellersh and Ford, Miss Molly and Sally Flutter, and Miss Parson,
up Catherine Hill, opposite Mr. Arnold's; then came back, went up
town, Mr. Mersing met us, and walked with us as far as Ganghill
Common.
Aug. 29th, Sunday.--To Middle Church. Afterwards to Mr. Weston's,
at West Horsley, to dinner. Gave Mr. Weston's servants, 2s.
Sept. 3rd.--Mr. Martyr set out at 8 this morning for London.
Walked with Miss Molly Flutter and Miss Parson to Chilworth, and
fished there. Mrs. Street made us a syllabub.
22nd.--To Mr. Street's at Chilworth, with Miss Molly and Sally
Flutter to dinner. They finished their hopping to-day. About six
we began dancing, two Miss Grenville's, Miss Betsey Smallpeice,
Miss Hall, two Stovolds's, and young Hall, Mr. Street and us; there
being one woman too many, we changed our partners, and one woman
always sat down. We danced till 3 or 4. All lay there.
23rd.--Went to see the paper-mills. Dined at Mr. Flutter's.
Between 3 and 4 to Mrs. Wilpley's; played at cards till 12.
28th.--A Turnpike meeting. Dined there with Mr. Edwards, Mr.
Skrine, Mr. Fullerton, Mr. John Vincent, Mr. Henry Flutter and Mr.
Pinkney.
29th.--Dined at Mr. Mabanke's. Played at Pope Joan till 12.
Oct. 8th.--Miss Flutters, Miss Parson, Ford and Mellersh supped
with me. Very merry till 11, had punch, Miss Molly brought rum.
13th.--Drank tea at Mr. Jeale's (the Rector), and Mr. and Mrs.
Sibthorp there. Played at whist till 11.
19th.--Went to see Farnham Castle, which is very badly furnished,
the Bishop never being there.
29th.--Walked, with Miss Sally and Fanny Whitehead, to Ganghill
Common.
22nd.--At 7, went with Ford, Mellersh and H. Parson to the Mayor's
(Savage's) to drink the King's health. We were too late for any
place, but by the door. Paid 1s.
Nov. 14th, Sunday.--To Middle Church. Then to the coffee-house for
half an hour. Paid at coffee-house, 1d.
21st.--General Blakeney landed yesterday at Portsmouth, and came
this evening to the 'White Hart.' A bonfire and illuminations.
The mayor and magistrates went to pay their respects to him. I
went into the room with them, and had two glasses of claret.
Afterwards sat in the next room with Mellersh, Harbroe, Shotter,
Horsenell, Elkins, Clifton, H. Parson, and Buckle, to drink his
health, from 8 to half-past 10. Paid reckoning, 1s. 6d. Bonfire,
1d.
23rd.--To London with Mr. Martyr. To Covent Garden Theatre; in the
pit, paid 3s.
24th.--To Covent Garden Theatre: 'Henry IV.'--Falstaff, Mr.
Shuter; Hotspur, Barry.
26th.--Set out at 6 in the Guildford Machine. Breakfasted at
Cobham; in about 2. Breakfast, 1s. 1d. Gave the coachman, 6d,
Dec. 22nd.--Byng went through the town this morning on his way to
Portsmouth to take his trial. They tolled the bell, and burnt his
effigy on the churchyard-steps.
1757, Jan. 27th.--Rode the black horse to London. Covent Garden
Theatre: 'Richard the Third,' Barry. Could not get in at Drury
Lane.
Feb. 11th.--A Fast: no breakfast. To Middle Church.
17th.--Mr. Ford and Miss Sally Flutter were married this morning.
18th.--Mr. and Mrs. Ford dined here.
24th.--Dined at Mr. Ford's with all the Flutters.
27th.--To Middle Church. Mrs. Ford made her appearance.
28th.--To the Artillery Ground, to see the Hessians {11} exercise,
and one of them run the gauntlet.
May 7th.--Some people got together at Petworth and thereabouts, and
seized some corn belonging to engrossers.
11th.--Wheat 20 pounds 15s. a load.
June 21st.--Paid for half-a-pint of strawberries for Master Jacky
and myself, 1.5d.
Aug. 6th.--Wheat, under 10 pounds.
Sept. 11th, Sunday.--A brief for the repair of the groins at
Brighthelmstone; paid 6d.
27th.--Miss Molly Flutter married to Mr. Chandler. {12}
Oct. 6th.--Miss Jeale married to Mr. Maxhill.
Nov. 7th.--Paid earnest of coach, {13} 2s. 6d. Wine at the 'White
Hart,' 6d.
10th.--Paid remainder for coach, 2s. 6d., coachman, 6d.; dinner at
chop-house, 10d.; breakfast on the road, 9d.; coffee in the
afternoon, 4d.
12th.--To Drury Lane Theatre: 'King Lear,' by Garrick. Agreed
with the barber for shaving me at 6s. a quarter.
14th.--To the theatre: Garrick as Don Felix, in 'The Wonder.'
23rd.--At 4 to Drury Lane; the King being there to-night, very much
crowded. Miss Gunning and her two sisters and a number of people
of quality. 'The Tempest,' and 'Harlequin Ranger'; both very
foolish to see. Home at 10.
28th.--I was sworn in to-day in the King's Bench as an Attorney of
that Court. Paid Judges' clerk, when I went to be examined, 7s.;
servant, 1s. Admission on stamp, 6 pounds 6s. At 8 with Jenkins
and James {14} to the Robin Hood Society. Stayed there till past
9, then went into a room below and stayed till 11.
30th.--Paid 10s. 6d. for entering as a pupil of Mons. Prieur, a
French master. {15}
Dec. 1st.--To Covent Garden Theatre. Paid for a fortnight's board
and lodging, 1 pound 4s.; for a bushel of coals, 1s. 2d. Tea at
Prosser's coffee-house, 4d.; wine after dinner, 3d.; a pound of
candles, 7d.
7th.--To chambers (Mr. Adderley's) till near 7, then James came
home with me. At whist till 11.
9th.--To chambers. Home to dinner. At 4 to Drury Lane Theatre:
'The Careless Husband'--Lord Chalkstone, Mr. Garrick.
10th.--To Mr. Adderley's till dinner. Thither in the afternoon.
At 6 drank tea with Jenkins.
11th.--To chambers; after dinner there again. Home at 7; at 9,
Jenkins, James, and Mersing, at whist till 11.
Dec. 12th.--To chambers. Paid for cyder with James, after dinner,
3d.; wine with Mersing at night, 3d.
14th.--At whist with Jenkins, James, and Mersing.
17th.--Jenkins and James came home with me at 7; played at draughts
with Jenkins. Afterwards Boughton came and took us to his
lodgings; at whist till 11.
21st.--With Boughton and James; mobbed it for the first row of the
upper gallery at Drury Lane, which we got.
22nd.--To Drury Lane; an old play of Shirley's, 'The Gamesters,'
revived.
23rd.--To chambers; after dinner to d0. At 7, home; Jenkins,
James, and Boughton, to whist till 11.
25th.--To the Temple Chapel, at the Sacrament. In the afternoon
with James and Boughton to the Romish Chapel in Lincoln's Inn
Fields; then to Mrs. Emily's and drank tea. Home at 8.
27th.--With Boughton to St. Michael's Church, Cornhill, and heard
part of a sermon; afterwards to St. Mildred's, and heard part of
the prayers. At whist with Sibthorpe, Boughton, and Jenkins till
near 11.
28th.--To an auction of books {16} at the 'Robin Hood.'
31st.--Between 9 and 10 Mrs. Mouling sent for me, to play at whist
with her son and daughter till 11.
1758, Jan. 2nd.--To chambers at 4 till past 7; then home; Boughton,
Daniel, and Mersing came, and played at whist till 12.
The following is written on a slip of paper:- 'Jan. 1st, 1758.--In
my pocket, 1 pound 5s. 5d.; purse, 17 pounds 9s. 6d.; money laid
out for my brother, &c. 2 pounds 7s. 7.5d.; due from my mother at
Christmas, 2 pounds 2s.; in my card purse, {17} 12s. 2d.; Bank 3
per cent. Reduced Annuities, 100 pounds.
'Of wife and children, debts and taxes clear, 123 pounds 16s.
8.5d.'
Jan. 29th, Sunday.--Between 2 and 3 to the Speaker's to dinner; sat
an hour before dinner; paid the servant, 2s.
Feb. 19th, Sunday.--To St. Dunstan's Church. After dinner called
on Mr. Maxwell; then to church at St. Andrew's, Holborn; called on
Mersing; soon after 4 Sam Ford came in; I stayed with him till past
7; then went home and got my fire lighted, and at 9 they came and
stayed till 12.
21st.--Took a place in the Godalming Machine.
22nd.--To the 'New Inn,' Western Bridge, soon after 6; waited till
7; there being eight passengers, they sent a chaise in which I and
a gentleman came; stopped at Cobham; arrived at Guildford {18}
between 3 and 4. Paid coach, 5s.; breakfast at Cobham, 18.
coachman, 1s.
April 17th.--At 6 set out in the coach for London. Dined at
Kingston; in about 5. With James and Jenkins to Mr. Boughton's; at
whist till 11. Paid coach and man, 5s. 6d.; dinner, 2s.
18th.--To the play: 'The Provoked Husband,' Mr. Garrick.
19th.--Breakfasted with James at Johnstone's Coffee House, Charing
Cross. Paid for chocolate and muffin, 2.5d.
23rd, Sunday.--To St. Dunstan's Church; walked in Lincoln's Inn
Gardens; to Mr. Emily's to dinner; to the chapel in Russell Court;
walked in the Park; at Slaughter's Coffee House for half-an-hour;
at 8 called on Boughton.
25th.--To Don Saltero's at Chelsea; paid for breakfast there,
13.5d.; to Marylebone, played at bowls there; at 5, Ford came; he
stayed till 7; then I went to the 'Crown and Rolls.' Home about
12.
May 1st.--I catched a great cold yesterday; James and I went home
with Jenkins; at cribbage till 11.
8th.--Dined in Butcher Row, 9d.; went to hear Green, the Methodist,
dispute in Fetter Lane--shameful. With Jenkins at cribbage till
past 11.
10th.--Breakfasted with Mr. Street; at 11 to the Bank, and sold 25
pounds stock; {19} at 4 dined with Mr. Adderley at the 'White
Lion,' in Wych Street; drank tea with Clare; between 7 and 8 Gordon
and I went to Covent Garden: 'Miss in her teens,' &c. Fribble,
Mr. Shuter.
11th.--With Jenkins to Marylebone Bowling green, at bowls. Home at
9; then an hour at the 'Bell.'
18th.--Breakfasted at home; James dined here; he fetched a pigeon
pye; afterwards to Prosser's, where Pitts came to me; at 6 Emily
came; we took boat at the Temple, landed at Lambeth, and walked to
Vauxhall; supped there. Home about 12; very pleasant evening; paid
for supper at Vauxhall, 2s.; going in, 1s.
19th.--Breakfasted at New Exchange Coffee House; dined at Betty's
with Mr. Gordon; then to Drury Lane--'The Rehearsal,' Bayes, Mr.
Garrick; paid for breakfast, 6d.; a letter, 3d.; dinner and wine,
1s. 4d.
20th.--Jenkins, James, and I walked to Marylebone; at bowls till 8;
then we went to the 'Sugar Loaf' in Bell Yard; wine at Marylebone,
6d.; supper, 4.5d.
22nd.--Boughton, James, and I to Islington, to a bowling-green
there; paid for cyder, ham, &c. 7.5d.
26th.--Dined with Mr. Adderley at the 'White Lion,' there till 6.
27th.--To the Bowling-green beyond the Foundling Hospital.
29th.--James and I walked to Marylebone, bowls there; between 4 and
5 we went to see 'Hamlet,' by Mr. Garrick.
June 6th.--Got up between 4 and 5; Jenkins and James breakfasted
with me at the 'Angel'; at 6, set out in the coach for Guildford;
stopped at Kingston; dined at Cobham; in about 4; to Miss Stevens'.
7th.--To the Bowling-green; to Miss Stevens'. {20}
9th.--Walked with Miss Stevens up Marrow Lane.
July 10th.--Miss Stevens and I drank tea at Mrs. Greenley's; sat in
her pavilion.
Aug. 24th.--Dined with my uncle, Duncumb, at Shere; at 5 to Sir
John Evelyn's, drank tea there; paid my uncle's servant, 1s.; Sir
John's, 1s.
28th.--Dined with the Mayor at the 'White Hart.' A great many
gentlemen from all parts of the country; there till 6; received of
Mr. Fawkes, making his will, 3s. 6d.
Sept. 2nd.--Dined at the 'Tuns,' paid 9d.; drank tea and supped
with Miss Stevens; Mrs. Ford came in, and afterwards Miss Adee {21}
and Miss Patty.
7th.--Walked with Miss Stevens to Mr. Emily's at Clandon; dined
there, cards in the evening.
8th.--To Mr. Engelstoft's; Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Mellersh there;
at whist till 12.
12th.--To Sir John Evelyn's, to breakfast.
17th.--Between 4 and 5 to the Green; played three games, lost two;
between 7 and 8 sat down to whist there with Mr. Englestoft, Mr.
Mellersh, and Mr. Hunt. Home before 11.
18th.--To the Artillery Ground, to see a pony race; to Mrs.
Wilpley's for half an hour; at 7 to the Bowling-green, Mellersh,
Gorman, and Engelstoft there; at whist till 11.
19th.--The Militia sworn in quietly; soldiers ready, but no
occasion; to Mr. Engelstoft's, played at backgammon; then to Mrs.
Wilpley's; fetched Miss Stevens at 4; at quadrille till near 8.
20th.--To Middle Church {22}; to Mr. Shrubb's; their home, at whist
till near 1.
21st.--To Busbridge, Mr. Webb {23} not at home; sat an hour with
Mrs. and young Mr. Webb; cards at Mr. Brewer's till past 9.
22nd.--The Visitation; at 7 to Miss Stevens.
23rd.--Dined at the 'White Lion,' paid 1s. {24}; between 3 and 4 to
Miss Stevens; Mrs. Wright came in; at quadrille till 9.
24th, Sunday.--To Middle Church. (He did not visit Miss Stevens
this day).
25th.--Walked to Mr. Emily's at Clandon; called on Mrs. Wilpley;
between 7 and 8 to Miss Stevens.
26th.--To Mr. Brewer's, Mr. Thomas there; after tea at Pope Joan
till 7; then to Miss Stevens.
27th.--Mr. Brewer came at 10 with a licence; Mr. Martyr bound with
me to Mr. Burdett; walked to Mr. Stevens' at Worplesdon, he not at
home, back between 5 and 6; called on Mr. Ralph Ford to bespeak his
attendance to-morrow; between 7 and 8 to Mrs. Norwood's, Betsy
Stevens there.
28th.--At 8 went to Mrs. Norwood's, Miss Adee and Betsy Stevens
breakfasted there; they went down the backway to Mr. Brewer's; I
went home and down town; was married; {25} sent Mr. Brewer's man
for a chaise and came away directly; went afterwards to Mr.
Brewer's and drank chocolate; dined at Epsom; to Mrs. C.'s {26} at
5; I walked to Hatton Garden and with Mr. Boughton to Lincoln's Inn
Coffee House; then home; at quadrille before supper. {27}
1758, Sept. 29th.--Called on Adderley; dined at home. Clare and
Jenkins came at 5, stayed till 7; at quadrille till 8.
30th.--We went to New Bond Street to the milliner; home to dinner.
I drank tea with Mr. Potts, Clare, and Marshall, then home at 8.
Oct. 1st.--To Lothbury Church. Mr. and Mrs. Barrow drank tea with
us.
3rd.--Drank tea with Clare, home to supper; after supper quadrille.
4th.--Bolton called; with him to the Antigallican Coffee House till
10.
5th.--Set out in a chaise for Guildford at 1; arrived between 6 and
7.
16th, Monday.--Lady Martha and Mrs. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Spooner, Mrs.
and Mr. Burdett drank tea with us. {28}
Nov. 6th.--Set out at 8 in the Godalming Machine; dined at Esher;
in at 5. Called on Mersing; Boughton there; then to Jenkins', and
played at whist till near 11. Coach and man, 5s. 6d.; a glass of
capillair, 3d.
8th.--Dined at Prosser's Coffee House; between 4 and 5 to the play-
-'Zara,' Lusignan, Mr. Garrick.
9th.--With Mersing and Jenkins to the 'Feathers' Tavern, where we
supped; home at 11.
10th.--Set out at 7 in the Godalming coach; home at 5.
15th.--To the Bowling-green between 6 and 7; at whist there till 10
{29}; then home. Won 4s. 6d.; paid reckoning at the green, 1s.
17th.--To Mrs. Emily's to dinner; played at quadrille before
dinner; home at 5; then went after my wife and Mrs. Norwood to Mr.
Shrubb's at Shalford; then to the Bowling-green.
1759, Feb. 21st.--To Middle Church. My wife and I walked with Dr.
and Mrs. Mitchell in their garden till past 1. At 6 Mr. Ford, Mr.
Gorman, and Mr. Mellersh came; at whist till 12.
March 21st.--On Stephens's horse to London; met Mersing and
Jenkins; dined at Betty's. To Covent Garden--'The Busybody,'
Marplot, Shuter. {30} At 10 to the 'Angel,' where I lay. Mersing
and Jenkins came; we drank one bottle. They went a little after
12.
April 9th.--Having a cold, with a difficulty of breathing, I was
bleeded this morning, and found benefit by night.
10th.--At whist till past 11.
May 7th.--On Stephens's horse to London. To Mr. Adderley's; at 5
with him to the 'Feathers' Tavern, and dined. Away at 8; at 9
Jenkins, Mersing, and Boughton came to me at the 'Angel' and stayed
till past 12; paid for dinner and wine, 2s. 6d.
9th.--Walked about; called on Adderley; dined with Jenkins; home by
Epsom; paid for breakfast at the 'Angel,' 8d.; two nights' lodging,
1s. 6d. maid, 1s.; horse and hostler, 3s. 2d.; turnpike, 4.5d.
horse hire, 6s.
June 13th.--On Stephens's horse to Chertsey; breakfasted with Ford,
Heath, and wife; to Ascot Races.
22nd.--To the green, and thence with Mr. Russell to the 'Tuns' to
drink the King's health; paid drinking, 1s.
27th.--To London; called on Adderley. With him to Clement's Coffee
House till 10; then to the 'Angel.' Jenkins came at 11, stayed
till 1.
July 6th.--To Sir John Evelyn, at Wotton. Paid horse hire, 2s.
{31}
23rd.--To Sir John Evelyn, with him Colonel Evelyn and young Mr.
Budgen. {32} To the 'Hatch' to dinner; Mr. Evelyn, Mr. Godschall,
{33} Mr. Bridges, Mr. Steere, Mr. Spence, {34} Mr. Courtenay, and
Mr. Walsh there; left at 7; paid for dinner and wine, 4s. 6d.