Coffee-Houses and its significance

 

Coffee-Houses and its significance

Coffee drinking was common among the Arabians in the end of the fifteenth century. It spread to England and became popular in the seventeenth century. In reign of Queen Anne, the coffee-house was the centre of social life in the city. In London there were more than five hundred coffee-houses. The unique feature of these coffee houses was their variety. There were different coffee-houses frequented by different sections of society.

Politicians’ Coffee-Houses

People of different political creeds visited different coffee-houses. Tories went to Cowa Tree Chocolate House and Whigs to St.James’s Coffee House. Naturally, political issues were discussed with extraordinary heat and energy.

Will’s Coffee House

Will’s coffee-house was the celebrated one among the learned literary men. It was situated between Covent Garden and Bow Street. John Dryden visited the coffee house often. Here discussed the literary matters. The seat near the fireside was reserved for Dryden in winter. In summer he went with his friends to the balcony.

Button’s coffee-House

Button’s Coffee-House was like a rival to Will’s Coffee-House. It was situated near Convent Garden. It was founded by Mr.Button, one of the old servants of Joseph Addison. It was visited by literary luminaries such as Dryden, Pope, Addison, Steele etc.

Doctors’ and Clergy’s Coffee Houses

Doctor’s favourite coffee-house was Garraway. It was founded by Thomas Garway. Dr.John Radcliffe the most famous doctor of Anne’s age, chose to visit this coffee house. Patients flocked here to seek his advice. The coffee house was situated in Change Alley, Cornhill.

Clergymen’s favourite coffee- house was Truby’s coffee house. There were separate coffee-houses for Roman Catholics, Puritans and Jews. Swearing was banned in the coffee-houses.

Thus coffee houses served different people in different ways in Anne’s England. The greatest good that the coffee house did was that, it kept people away from drinking alcohol. The coffee-houses were closed down twice – during Danby’s time and later during the French Revolution. The heated discussions of political problems could not be tolerated and so coffee houses were closed temporarily during these periods.