Brooke Street. From the town house of Fulke Greville, Lord Brooke. In this street the boy poet Chatterton poisoned himself.
Brother Jonathan. After Jonathan Turnbull, the adviser of General Washington in all cases of military emergency. “We must ask Brother Jonathan” was the latter’s invariable reply to a suggestion made to him.
Brougham. First made to the order of Lord Brougham.
Brought under the Hammer. Put up for sale by public auction. The allusion is, of course, to the auctioneer’s hammer.
Bruce Castle. The residence of Robert Bruce after his defeat by John Baliol in the contest for the Scottish crown.
Bruges. From its many bridges.
Brummagem. The slang term for cheap jewellery made at Birmingham. In local parlance this city is “Brummagem,” and its inhabitants are “Brums.”
Brunswick Square. Laid out and built upon at the accession of the House of Brunswick.
Bruton Street. From the seat of the Berkeleys at Bruton, Somersetshire.
Bryanstone Square. From the seat, near Blandford, Dorset, of Viscount Portman, the ground landlord.