The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #159399   Message #3847673
Posted By: GUEST,Wm
30-Mar-17 - 05:42 PM
Thread Name: Origins: What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor
Subject: RE: Origins: What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor
Perhaps "Blue Bell Alley"? Here are some approximately period references on Google Books.

According to The History of the Violin (William Sandys & Simon Andrew Forster, 1864), the violin seller Thomas Dodd lived in Blue-Bell Alley, Mint Street, Southwark from 1786–89 (pg 367, link).

On May 19, 1887, The Architect confirms that Bluebell Alley is on Mint Street, and assesses it in biting terms:

Mint Street Scheme (St. George the Martyr).——This area, which adjoins Mint Street, from Harrow Street to Bluebell Alley, is morally and structurally one of the worst in the southern portion of the metropolis. A rearrangement of the houses can readily be effected on the same site, so as to give improved accommodation. The net cost is estimated at 25,150Z.
(pg 325, link)

A place of that name is also referenced in Harold Hastings; or, he Vicar's Son (James Yeames, 1882) twice (link).

"What are we to do? Here is a list of thirty names. We have visited every family, and we know that there is neither food nor fire in these thirty homes. And Blue Bell-alley is as bad ; and the Silver-street district, so they tell me, worse."
(pg 191)

Oh, it was a right merry Christmas! Such real enjoyment at the Hall, and such a treat at the "Gardens" among the children. And is it strange to say Mr. Canning spends more time now among the poor in Golden-gardens and Silver-street and Blue Bell-alley than he does in his sumptuous library?
(pg 204)