Character of a Coffee-House (1673) [ ]
… With Allowance, April 11 th. 1673. A Coffee-House is a Lay-Conventicle, Good-fellowship turn'd Puritan, Ill-husbandry … 'tis an Exchange where Haberdashers of Political small wares meet, and mutually abuse each other, and the Publique, with bottomless stories, and headless notions; the Rendezvous of idle Pamphlets, and persons more idly imployd to read … our ears; As built of Brass, the House throughout resounds, Reports things hea•d, and every word rebounds. No rest within, nor sil••c•, yet the noise Not loud, but like a hallow murmuring voice; Such as from far by Rowling Waves is …
Coffeehouses
Anthology