In the 17th century , London coffeehouses were evolving into pool of progressive academics , philosophers , Dr. , and lawmaker , including diachronic behemoth likeIsaac Newton , Jonathan Swift , and Alexander Pope . A snapshot of this aspect is captured by Paul Greenwod ’s 1674A Brief Description of the Excellent Vertues of that Sober and wholesome Drink , called Coffee , and its Incomparable Effects in Preventing or Curing Most Diseases incident to Humane Bodies which documents “ The RULES and ORDERS of the Coffee - House . ”Here are the rules that seventeenth - century London ’s mostprogressive socialitesabided by when they want a cup of joe .
1. Don’t swear.
Or , if you do have a foul mouth , you ’d better have inscrutable pockets to fit .
2. Don’t start a pity party.
Much to the poetical patron ’s dismay , disgruntled lovers would have to meet elsewhere .
3. Don’t talk about God.
Even though most coffeehouses were settle next to churches and cathedral , organized religion was off limits . Politics , on the other hand , was honest game . Benjamin Franklinfrequently visited many London coffeehouses , where he brushed up on politics and societal possibility .
4. Don’t be too serious.
Take what you get word softly . The musical theme you ’d hear may spark a revolution or they may just be the chocolate talk . Either style , it ’s all in unspoilt sport .
5. Don’t bet your house on it.
Bets were made on gentlemen ’s terms . They should be small and lite - hearted .
6. Don’t stay too late.
tope as much as you please , but you were encouraged to head home to attend to more authoritative issue ( write the laws of somberness , for example ) .
7. Don’t be a stranger.
You and your wallet - straining dependency to caffeine are in good troupe — the good scholars of London clamber to resist a day-after-day dose of coffee bean . Plus , coffeehouse were a center for residential area . Strangers were welcome , but regulars kept them churning out the good clobber .
