Parishmouse

The name Cockney—a spoilt or effeminate boy— one cockered and spoilt—is generally applied to people born within the sound of Bow bells. Hugh Bigot, a rebellious baron of Henry III.’s reign, is said to have exclaimed—
“If I were in my Castell of Bungeie Tpon the water of “Wauenc.ie, I wold not set a button by the King of Cockneie.”
When a female Cockney was informed that barley did not grow, but that it was spun by housewives in the country—“I knew as much,” said the Cockney, “for one may see the threads hanging out at the ends thereof.”

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The best West-end books are Boyle’s Court Guide and Webster’s Royal Red Book. The latter is a very commendable work. The Post Office Directory, published every year, is an extremely thick and valuable volume, and is at once an Official, Street, Commercial, Trades, Law, Court, Parliamentary, Postal, City, Conveyance, and Banking Directory. All three may be obtained of any respectable bookseller.

Source: A Handbook for London, Past and Present. Peter Cunningham. Published by John Murray 1849.