Bloomsbury Institute.—Opened in 1860. The memorial stones of the lecture-hall in Bloomsbury Street were laid August 6, 1877, the £750 cost being given by Mr. David Smith. Seats 500.
Blue Coat School.—See "[Schools]."
Blues.—The United Society of True Blues was founded in 1805 by a number of old Blue Coat boys (formerly known as "The Grateful Society") who joined in raising an annual subscription for the School.
Board Schools.—See "[School Board]."
Boatmen's Hall, erected on Worcester Wharf, by Miss Ryland, was opened March 17, 1879.
Bonded Warehouses.—Our Chamber of Commerce memoralised the Lords of the Treasury for the extension of the bonded warehouse system to this town, in December, 1858, but it was several years before permission was obtained.
Books.—The oldest known Birmingham book is a "Latin Grammar, composed in the English tongue," printed in London in 1652, for Thomas Underhill, its author having been one of the masters of our Free School.
Book Club (The).—Commenced some few years previous to 1775, at which time its meetings were held in Poet Freeth's, Leicester Arms, Bell-street. As its name implies, the club was formed for the purchase and circulation among the members of new or choice books, which were sold at the annual dinner, hence the poet's hint in one of his invitations to these meetings:—
"Due regard let the hammer be paid, Ply the glass gloomy care to dispel; If mellow our hearts are all made, The books much better may sell."
In these days of cheap literature, free libraries, and halfpenny papers, such a club is not wanted.