Temple Exchange Coffee House

1. Temple Exchange Coffee House, Fleet Street, 'near Temple Bar' (1758). Described by non-contemporary writers as 'by the Inner Temple Gate'. Malcolm's 'Londinium Redivivus' is quoted by Bell in his book on Fleet Street. The Fire in 1666, spread on the south side of Fleet Street past Temple Coffee House, Devereux Court St. Dunstan's Church to within 100 feet of Inner Temple gate, and stopped where long afterwards the Temple Exchange Coffee House flourished, bearing upon its front a Latin inscription carved in stone, which translated reads:

   You see before you
The last house of the city in Flames
    The first of the city restored:
May this be favourable and fortunate
    For both city and house,
Especially for those who are auspiciously building,
    Elizabeth Moore owner of the site
        and
    Thomas Tuckey Tenant.

1710

I have seen no earlier contemporary mention than 1710, but the Temple Exchange Coffee-house may have been established some years earlier. 'Evening Post' No. 69, 19–21 Jan. 1710 advertises that the paper is sold by the Booksellers and at the following Coffee-houses: 'Union in Cornhill, Amsterdam and John's in Swithen's Alley near the Royal Exchange, Boiden's in Tower Street, St. James's, Oliver's at Westminster-Hall-Gate, Will's and Tom's in Covent Garden, the Grecian and Tom's in Devereux Court, Nando's, and the Temple Change in Fleet Street, Squire's, Will's, and John's in Fulwood's Rents in Holbourn. Price 1d.'

1710

'Daily Courant' 17 May, advertises: To be lett a very good house well repaired (the sign of the Tyger & Lamb) next to the Temple Exchange Coffee House in Fleet Street.

1728–29

'Evening Post' No. 192, 1–4 March, 1728–29, advertises: 'To be Sold at Auction At Daniel's Coffee-house in Lombard-street on Tuesday March 11, 1728–29—A Messuage or Tenement, called PARK-CORNER House, situate upon the Corner of Greenwich Park Wall on Blackheath ... Printed particulars ... are deliver'd Gratis at ... Temple Exchange Coffee-house in Fleet-street. ...'

1744

'Daily Post' 16 Feb. 1744, advertises a sale of books by Auction. Catalogues to be had at Temple Exchange Coffee-house in Fleet Street.

1746

'General Advertiser' 28 Nov. 1746, announces: The Members of the Society Corresponding with the Incorporated Society in Dublin for promoting English Protestant Working Schools in Ireland are desired to take notice that the monthly meeting of their standing Committee will be held at the Temple Exchange Coffee House in Fleet Street on Wednesday next at eleven o'clock in the forenoon precisely.

1757–58

When Oliver Goldsmith (1728–74) took what he termed a 'Shoe- maker's holiday' ended his day's excursion 'by supping at the Grecian or Temple-Exchange, or at the Globe in Fleet Street... .' Some of his letters in 1757–58 are dated from this coffee-house, and according to Forster's Life & Times of Goldsmith, letters were addressed to him 'to the Temple Exchange Coffee-house, near Temple Bar, where the waiter George' whom Goldsmith celebrates in the 'Bee' 'took charge of them'.

1758

A touch of romance comes from the 'London Chronicle' 5 Aug. 1758: 'A YOUNG LADY who was at Vauxhall on Thursday night last, in company with two Gentlemen, could not but observe a young Gentleman in blue and a gold-laced hat, who, being near her by the Orchestra during the performance, especially the last song, gazed upon her with the utmost attention. He earnestly hopes (if unmarried) she will favour him with a line directed to A.D. at the bar of the Temple Exchange Coffee-house, Temple-bar, to inform him whether Fortune, Family, and Character, may not entitle him, upon a further knowledge, to hope an interest in her Heart. He begs she will pardon the method he has taken to let her know the situation of his Mind, as, being a Stranger, he despaired of doing it any other way, or even of seeing her more. As his views are founded upon the most honourable Principles, he presumes to hope the occasion will justify it, if she generously breaks through this trifling formality of the Sex, rather than, by a cruel Silence, render unhappy one, who must ever expect to continue so, if debarred from a nearer acquaintance with her, in whose power alone it is to complete his Felicity.' (Sampson—History of Advertising.)

1760

The house is mentioned in Samuel Foote's Comedy 'The Minor', produced in Dublin, 28 Jan. 1760, in which Foote played.

1762–63

James Boswell records in his 'London Journal' (Pottle, Heinemann, 1950), 11 Dec. 1762: '... I also call at the pamphlet shop going into the Temple Exchange Coffee-house in Fleet Street, and buy The North Briton, which I send at night by commission, in a frank, to Digges. ...' A few weeks later he records on 9 Feb. 1763: '... some time ago I left off the pamphlet shop in the passage to the Temple Exchange Coffee-house, and took The North Briton from the publishers of it, Mr. Kearsley in Ludgate Street, hard by Child's. I have it now sent to me regularly by the Penny Post. ...'

1764

Extract from a letter in my collection, dated '20th dismal May 64' from Wm. Blennerhassett to 'Mr. Grass': 'As I cannot conveniently see you & indeed under my present Difficulties, I do not choose ... I never had such a thought in my life how to act between ffriendship & Dire Necessity, but the last compells me & therefore you must excuse the Consequences—I was obliged to pawn a Gold Watch in my Possession ... this last week & also having this last vacation been obliged to make free with the Money of a Clyent's I have, on that Acct. denied myself all this last Week not been at the Cardmakers Arms or Temple Exch. Coffee House, as usual. ...'

1810

Both Cunningham, and Wheatley, mention that the premises ceased to be a coffee-house about 1810, but I have yet to find contemporary mention as late as this.

1326 Temple Exchange Coffee House Fleet Street; “near Temple Bar” 1710–c1810. The great Fire 1666, spread on the south side of Fleet Street to within 100 feet of Inner Temple gate and stopped where long afterwards the Temple Exchange Coffee House bore upon its front a Latin inscription carved in stone, which translated reads:

   "You see before you
The last house of the city in Flames
    The first of the city restored:
May this be favourable and fortunate
    For both city and house,
Especially for those who are auspiciously building,
    Elizabeth Moore owner of the site
        and
Thomas Tuckey Tenant."

Temple Change Coffee House. In 1686–1696 auctions took place here.

Temple Exchange Coffee House

For the great benefit of Domestick Servants, who, for want of due and timely Intelligence of vacant Places, live idle and squander away what they get, there is printed and publish'd (every Thursday) a List, nam'd, The servants Guide; Containing the places of Abode of such as shall need or require Servants of any kind whatsoever. This Catalogue may be had (price 2d.) at the Dyal under the Dyal of St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet; Mr. Fowler, Glover, under Ludgate; Mr. Likely, Bookseller, at the New Exchange Door; the Temple Exchange Coffee in Fleetstreet. Any person that has occasion to retain a Servant, or would take a Journey-man in any Trade or Calling, may leave a Note or Ticket, of what kind of Servant he wants (paying 3d.) at any of the above-named places, with Directions where such Servant may Addrefs himself, care will be taken by several, imploy'd to diffuse and scatter Notice thereof, that there will be an immediate supply suitable and adapted to every ones degree and quality.—Post Boy, 18–21 March 1699

On 20 and 23 May 1709, meetings of a commission established to deal with the large number of Palatine refugees were held at the Temple Exchange Coffee House. At the meeting on the 20th, the refugees were estimated at 825 men, women and children; by the meeting on the 23rd, "several hundred more" were reported to have arrived. The commissioners arranged for money, food, and tents to be provided for the "Poor Palatines."  The commission's minutes are in the Colonial Office records, C.O. 388/76, 60 (with thanks for this information to Philip Otterness, Professor Emeritus, Department of History and Political Science, Warren Wilson College).

Whereas one Thomas Rowbery, was Witness to a Writing, executed in the Year 1706, and the Party knows not where the said Mr. Rowbery now lives: If theretore the said Mr. Tho. Rowbery, or any of his Acquaintance, will leave Notice at Mr. Wilcoe's [ obscured ] the Temple-Exchange Coffee-house, over-against St. Dunstan's-Church in Fleetstreet, where they may be spoke with, they shall be satisfied to c[ obscured ] for their Trouble.—Post Boy, 7–9 August 1711

Whereas Ambrose Awbrey, Servant to Mrs. Wilcox, at the Temple-Exchange Coffee-house, Fleetstreet, did on Thurday the 29th Day of October last, run away from his said Service with 12 Guineas and 2 Broad Pieces of Gold, of the Money of the said Mrs. Wilcox, and has not been since heard of: If he will return in a Week, with the said Money, he shall be forgiven; or if not, will be prosecuted with the utmost Severity of Law. And whoever shall secure him within the Time aforesaid, so as he may be brought to Justice, shall receive a Guinea Reward. He is a very little Fellow, about 27 Years of Age, with Blotches in his Face, wearing a brown bob Wig, with a brown Suit of Cloaths, and has been Servant at several Coffee-houses, in London.—Daily Courant, 3 November 1724

The Proprietor of the Temple Exchange Coffee House, and Oxford Tavern, near the Temple, Fleet-street, respectfully informs the public, that the house is completely repaired, greatiy improved, and fitted up as an Hotel, where country Gentienten may depend on neat lodgings, and the best accommodations; a Larder of the best provisions, with choice wines, and other liquors, at such reasonable prices as cannot fail to meet their approbation:
     N.B. Dinners and suppers sent out, with every requisite. A dinner ready every day at three o'clock.—Rooms to lett, furnished, for single Gentlemen.—Morning Herald, 5 November 1784

SPECULUM MODORUM; or, the Mirror of Fashions. No. 22, Fleet-street.—R. CROFT, Taylor and Draper to his Royal Highnes the Prince of Wales, and to his Majesty's Army and Navy, is happy in the opportunity of informing his Customers, the Nobility, and Public, that he is removed from his late residence, No. 65, Fleet-street, to No. 22, in the same street, nearer Temple-Bar. The very exensive and convenient Premises, late the Temple Exchange Coffee-house, but now the Speculum Modorum, he has fitted up and completed in a nouvelle and elegant style, for the reception and accommodation of his numerous and respectable Customers. The motives which influence the principles of Ladies and Gentlemen are the most Liberal, for they honour with their visits the Shops of such Tradesmen whose industry and merit invite their attention. Gratitude alone, therefore, prompts R. Croft's ambition to make the Speculum Modorum an agreeable and commodious Morning Lounge, and which is exceedingly convenient for Gentlemen who are not partial to Coffee-house appointments, when a few words only are sometimes necessary to be exchanged, the Premises being the most extensive of any retail business in the Metropolis. The newest patterns are daily provided to render it the first place of fashions, for Ladies Riding Habits and Gentlemen's Cloaths. Uniforms—Gentlemen of the Army and Navy, whose situation demands correctness and expedition, will most certainly meet their wishes, as the most particular attention has always been devoted to that article, agreeable to every new regultion in the Navy, as well as in every new and old Regiment in the Army. Ladies Riding Dresses—R. Croft hopes it will not be considered presumption to say, the many years experience in bringing to perfection and fitting in a peculiar style, this pleasant article of dress, which far surpasses all others ever yet invented, in adding (if possible) to the elegant shapes of Ladies, has entitled him to great encouragement, and by universal patronage, flatters his ambition to hope he stands unrivalled, the only reward his wishes aspire, and for which distinguished favours he is now happy in making his most grateful acknowledgements to his customers in general.—A Suit of Cloaths or a Lady's Habit made at six hours notice—A variety of Ladies' and Gentlemen's Spencers, Great Coats, and Dressing Gowns.—The Times, 12 March 1796