d a
proclamation which in its title frankly stated its object--"for the
suppression of coffee houses." It is here given in a somewhat condensed
form:

BY THE KING: A PROCLAMATION
FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF
COFFEE HOUSES

_Charles R._

Whereas it is most apparent that the multitude of Coffee Houses of
late years set up and kept within this kingdom, the dominion of
Wales, and town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and the great resort of Idle
and disaffected persons to them, have produced very evil and
dangerous effects; as well for that many tradesmen and others, do
herein mispend much of their time, which might and probably would
be employed in and about their Lawful Calling and Affairs; but
also, for that in such houses ... divers false, malitious and
scandalous reports are devised and spread abroad to the Defamation
of his Majestie's Government, and to the Disturbance of the Peace
and Quiet of the Realm; his Majesty hath thought fit and necessary,
that the said Coffee Houses be (for the future) Put down, and
suppressed, and doth ... strictly charge and command all manner of
persons, That they or any of them do not presume from and after the
Tenth Day of January next ensuing, to keep any Public Coffee House,
or to utter or sell by retail, in his, her or their house or houses
(to be spent or consumed within the same) any Coffee, Chocolet,
Sherbett or Tea, as they will answer the contrary at their utmost
perils ... (all licenses to be revoked).

Given at our Court at Whitehall, this third-and-twentieth day of
Dec., 1675, in the seven-and-twentieth year of our Reign.

GOD SAVE THE KING.

And then a remarkable thing happened. It is not usual for a royal
proclamation issued on the 29th of one month to be recalled on the 8th
day of the next; but this is the record established by Charles II. The
proclamation was made on December 23, 1675, and issued December 29,
1675. It forbade the coffee houses to operate after January 10, 1676.
But so intense was the feeling aroused, that eleven days was sufficient
time to convince the king that a blunder had been made. Men of all
parties cried out against being deprived of their accustomed haunts. The
dealers in coffee, tea, and chocolate demonstrated that the proclamation
would greatly lessen his majesty's revenues. Convulsion and discontent
loomed large. The king heeded the war