Just a moment...
18th century coffee houses were places for knowledge-sharing. Men gathered around a long table at to talk business, and discuss news, politics and ideas. Coupled with the rapid spread of coffee houses around London, came the rapid spread of ideas. This was a changing time.
Just a moment...
Entrepreneurs, businessmen and politicians often met in coffee houses. They were pretty tribal in their loyalties too, with specific political parties or trades sticking to particular venues.