Page:A short history of social life in England.djvu/252

232 patronised by a distinct and separate class of society. Thus all the physicians would collect at one to consult together about their profession, at another the Puritans would assemble to discuss their views of life. There was the Quaker's coffee-house, where no healths were drunk, no oaths uttered, no colours to be seen. There was "Will's," frequented by our friend Pepys. Though most coffee-houses could produce supplies of brandy and such old-world beverages as "mum," "red streak," "black cordial," spiced ale, &c., yet there was seldom any riotous drinking, swearing, or quarrelling. This was reserved for the taverns, where constantly disgraceful scenes took place, not infrequently ending in bloodshed. Many and various were the drinks sold here. Spanish wines were very popular; there were the well-known drinks canary, sack, sack-posset, sherry, Burgundy, claret. Spirits were expensive and little drunk. But the