BRAYLEY

brayley, edward wedlake (1773-1854), english antiquary and topographer, was born at lambeth, london, in 1773. he was apprenticed to the enamelling trade, but early developed literary tastes. he formed a close friendship with john britton, which lasted for sixty-five years. they entered into a literary partnership, and after some small successes at song and play writing they became joint editors of _the beauties of england and wales_, themselves writing many of the volumes. long after he had become famous as a topographer, brayley continued his enamel work. in 1823 he was elected a fellow of the society of antiquaries. he died in london on the 23rd of september 1854. his other works include _sir reginalde or the black tower_ (1803); _views in suffolk, norfolk and northamptonshire, illustrative of works of robt. bloowifield_ (1806); _lambeth palace_ (1806); _the history of the abbey church of westminster_ (2 vols., 1818); _topographical sketches of brighthelmstone_ (1825); _historical and descriptive accounts of theatres of london_ (1826); _londiniana_ (1829); _history of surrey_ (5 vols., 1841-1848). brazier (from the fr. _brasier_, which comes from _braise_, hot charcoal), a metal receptacle for holding burning coals or charcoal, much used in southern europe and the east for warming rooms. braziers are often elegant in form, and highly artistic in ornamentation, with chased or embossed feet and decorated exteriors.