Feb. 10. 1852.
_Bow-bell_ (Vol. v., pp. 28. 140.).--Your correspondent W. S. S. is, I
think, right in supposing _Bow-bell_ to be almost synonymous with
_Cockney_. I quote a passage from the _London Prodigall_, which had once
the honour of being attributed to Shakspeare.
"_Enter Sir Lancelot Weathercock Young Flowerdale, &c._ (Sir
Arthur Green-hood, Oliver, &c., had been on the stage before.)
"_Lan._ Sir Arthur, welcome to Lewsome, welcome, by my troth.
What's the matter, man? why are you vext?
_Oli._ Why man, he would press me.
_Lan._ O fie, Sir Arthur, press him? He is a man of reckoning.
_Wea._ I that he is, Sir Arthur, he hath the nobles.
The golden ruddocks he.
_Ar._ The fitter for the warrs: and were he not in favour
With your worships, he should see,
That I have power to press as good as he.
_Oli._ Chill stand to the trial, so chill.
_Flow._ I marry shall he, presse cloth and karsie,
White pot and drowsen broth: tut, tut, he cannot.
_Oli._ Well, Sir, though you see vlouten cloth and karsie, chee a
zeen zutch a karsie coat wear out the town sick a zilken jacket,
as thick a one as you wear.
_Flow._ Well sed, vlitan vlattan.
_Oli._ A and well sed _cocknell_, and _boe-bell_ too. What doest
think cham aveard of thy zilken coat, no fer vere thee."
Page iv.