Chester.
Blue Bells of Scotland (Vol. viii., p. 388. Vol. ix., p. 209.).—Surely
of Philadelphia is right in supposing that the Blue Bell of Scotland, in the ballad which goes by that name, is a bell painted blue, and used as the sign of an inn, and not the flower so called, as asserted by Henry Stephens, unless indeed there be an older ballad than the one commonly sung, which, as many of your readers must be aware, contains this line,—
"He dwells in merry Scotland,
At the sign of the Blue Bell."
I remember to have heard that the popularity of this song dates from the time when it was sung on the stage by Mrs. Jordan.
Can any one inform me whether the air is ancient or modern?
Honoré de Mareville.
Guernsey.