Bristol Road.— Trees were first planted in this road in the spring of 1853.
Britannia Metal.—A mixed metal formed of 90 parts of tin, 2 copper, and 8 antimony, brought into use about 1790, and long a favourite with manufacturers and public alike. The introduction of electroplating did much towards its extended make at first, but latterly it has been in great measure, replaced by German silver and other alloys.
British Association for the Advancement of Science first met in this town Aug. 26, 1839. They were here again Oct. 12, 1857, and Sep. 6, 1865.
Brittle Street formerly ran from Livery Street to Snow Hill, about the spot where now the entrance gates to the Station are.
Broad Street.—150 years ago part of what is now known as Dale End was called Broad Street, the present thoroughfare of that name then being only a pathway through the fields.
Brunswick Buildings.—Erected in New Street, by Mr. Samuel Haines in 1854. A funny tale has been told about the original lease, which included a covenant that at the expiration of the term of 100 years for which it was granted, the land was to be delivered up to the Grammar School "well cropped with potatoes." In 1760 New Street was a new street indeed, for there were but a few cottages with gardens there then, and the potatoe proviso was no doubt thought a capital provision; but fancy growing that choice edible there in 1860!
Buck.— Henry Buck, P.G.M., and Sec, of the Birmingham district of the Manchester Order of Oddfellows for twenty-five years, died Jan. 22, 1876, agednb63. A granite obelisk to his memory in St. Philip's churchyard was unveiled Sep 17, 1877.
Building Societies took early root here, as we find there were several in 1781.—See "Friendly Societies."
Buckles were worn as shoe fasteners in the reign of Charles II.—See "Trades."
Buttons.—Some interesting notes respecting the manufacture of buttons will be found under the head of "Trades."
Bulgarian Atrocities, 1876-7.—A considerable amount of "political capital" was made out of these occurrences, but only £1,400 was subscribed here for the relief of the unfortunates; while merely £540 could be raised towards helping the thousands of poor Bosnian refugees driven from their homes by the Russians in 1878, and of this sum £200 was given by one person
Bullbaiting was prohibited in 1773 by Order in Council, and an Act was passed in 1835, to put a stop to all baiting of bulls, badgers, and bears. At Chapel Wake, 1798, some law-defying reprobates started a bullbaiting on Snow Hill, but the Loyal Association of Volunteers turned out, and with drums beating and colours Hying soon put the rebels to flight, pursuing them as far as Birmingham Heath, where the baiters got a beating, the Loyals returning home in triumph with the bull as a trophy. The last time this "sport" was indulged in in this neighbourhood appears to have been early in October, 1833, at Gib Heath, better known now as Nineveh Road.
Bull Lane was the name once given to that part of the present Colmore Row between Livery Street and Snow Hill, though it has been better known as Monmouth Street.
Bull Street—Once called Chapel Street, as leading to the chapel of the ancient Priory; afterwards named from the old inn known as the Red Bull (No. 83).
Burial Grounds.— See "Cemeteries."
Burns.—Excisemen, when Robert Burns was one of them, were wont to carry pistols, and those the poet had
