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,