{49} He was confined to the house for more than a week by a bad cold, which was followed by inflammation in one of his eyes. The inflammation was subdued with difficulty by the great oculist Mr. Phipps, afterwards Sir Watken Waller. The eye affected became gradually weaker, and the sight of it was entirely gone for some years before his death, although exactly when he did not notice. At the beginning of the 19th century he was 64; and his son’s attention to the business of the office in Great Russell Street enabled him to live more at Shere, but when in London his habits were little changed. He dined with the Antiquaries’ Club almost every week during the season until he was 90. He did not so frequently take his meals at the houses of his friends, but at his own table they were always welcome, and many came. {51} He was frequently bled according to the usual practice in those days. He was bled the last time when he was 84. {52a} Mr. Bray cared very little for politics, but he was not a Tory, and would not have voted for Mr. Summer if he had not represented the county for many years and been much respected. {52b} Mr. Bray was within a few weeks of 90. He took no servant with him. {53a} After this shameful affair, neither Mr. Taylor his clerk, nor Mr. Wigzell had any communications with Mr. Bray or his partners; but as a mark of repentance Mrs. Wigzell left Mr. Bray’s grandson a legacy of £100, and Mr. Taylor left £100 to the firm of Bray and Warren. {53b} Principal Librarian at the British Museum; afterwards Sir Henry Ellis. He was Mr. Bray’s oldest friend then living. He died in 1868 at a very advanced age, having during his long life rendered most valuable services to the public, and particularly by his contributions to English history. {53c} Mr. Higgins was employed by Mr. Bray in writing for him. His last guest at Shere was his old friend Mr. Carlisle, one of the Secretaries of the Antiquary Society, who came to Shere on Saturday, the 28th of October, and remained till Monday. His grandson Reginald was with him for a day or two every week, and played at piquette with him three days before his death, which took place on the 21st.