Dorothy George locates the "Mint Coffeehouse" (sign over the fireplace) on
the southside. The two
most popular coffeehouses for jobbers were Jonathan's (north end of
Exchange Alley) and Garaway's (south end of Exchange Alley). Why the
"Mint" is featured here is a mystery. The scene depicted seems to
represent a typical day in the "bubble" year--that is the dominance of
stock speculation (not just in the South Sea Company but other joint stock
companies such as York Buildings and English Copper) and its effects in
common conversation. The specific "balloon" speech is as follows (from
left to right):
- "Gentlemen you must Lye 4 in a Bed or twill be Impossible to find room
for 6 Merchants I expect here this Night."
- "I was to have took S. Sea at 1000 but chose to live here like a Knave
than go to [jaol ?] like a Fool."
- "And I sold a Best of 5000 but Stock rising right [?] over here [?] will
never Pay the Difference."
- "As for me I laid out not only my own Estate but my Wards Fortune in
York Buildings at 2[?]00."
- "English Copper has ruined me[.] I sold my Manor & bought the Stock at
105 p. cent[.]"
Entry: D. McNeil, May, 2000
Return to "The Bubblers Medley, #22".
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