The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-16

FOUNTAINS.
The PhaselUs,s History

The e. Fan History
This useful philadelphia organization viii cele'
Arate the completion Of the OF its existence
n WAS founded through the exertions OF few
worthy gentlemen, and has been productive OF very
Sm he sist day Of last April and consequently Il
has only been In formal operation since tnat Time
In this short period mucn mas 0een nr er
soon TO follow. The use Of these fountains during
the summer months has been immense potn by man
and beast but estimate can be made OF the actual
number OF those who have been refreshed. IL is
suricient TO say that during the heated term, hot
and unpleasant as the weather then was, the foun-
tains were one and all in almost constant demand
The first fountain of its kind erected in this city
was placed on Market street, south side, just above
Rroad There was then no fountain society or any
thing of the kind. IL was erected by Dr. wilson z,
Swami who is now President of the society," at his
own expense entirely and as an experiment.
This was a plain and unpretendlng-ooking ar
rangement, but II answered its purpose Wei. IL
was Immediately formed to carry on the good work.
An informal meeting was held on the 18th OF Fe6ru-
ary another on the 2bth of the same month, and on
the 2lst of the following April the charter was
granted. -, A.. ,., o,.,.,... ., .o,..-. .-.,
managers was held The officers were elected TO
serve three years. The following is the present
~ President-Wilson c. Swami, NJ. D.
-Presidents-George f. Tyler and A. j.
Secretary-George E. Mclaughlin.
ITreasurer-,J. Edward Bailey.
Managers-lIenry NJ. Watts, j. Il. Bailey, Jacob
M.
Reese, l. p. Asbmead, LOrin Blodget, r. krumb-
haar, Robert NJ. Hooper, Richard Ludow,:and Joseph
The lady officers are:-
President-Mrs. Robert NJ. Hooper.
Secretary-Mrs. J. Edward Bailey.
ManageTs-Mrs. Robert NJ. Hooper, Mrs. G. c.
Heberton, Mrs. j. Wilson Fasstt, Mrs. Robert E.
Rogers Mrs. j. II. Fry, Mrs. J. Edward Bailey, Mrs.
Parker Mrs. George Pitt, Mrs William Rudder,
Mrs. Aubrey II. Smith, Mrs. Jos. r. Carpenter, Mrs.
John ID. Lankenau, and Miss Schaumburg.
members
who contribute a certain sum yearly. The funds
thus obtained are used in the construction Of foun
tains but several members have each contributed
sum sufficient to erect one entire fountain, the
money going. through the hands and the fountains
being erected entirely under the control and ma
The following is the list of fountains erected
during the year and the names OF the donors:-
No. 1. The first erected after the formation of a
society is placed Walnut street. opposite Seventh
1t is built of granite, and was paid for by the So
No 2. Is also granite, and is situated on Chestnut
street. above Fifth. This was the gift OF Mrs. c. f.
No 3. Is on Chestnut street. below Sixth. 1t is of
granite and was presented by Mr.. John Wanamaker.
No. T. Is granite fountain, built by the society,
on Arch street, below Front.
No. B. is Of granite, on Dock street, below Walnut.
The gift Of Henry &. Gibson.
No. G. Is an iron fountain, at Broad and Chestnut
streets The donor was Mr. a. IL. Smith.
No. T. An iron fountain, on Market street, below
Broad. was also presented 10y Mr.. John Wana-
No. 8. Is granite fountain, at the intersection Of
No. O. Is Of fine white marble, and is placed on
Ridge road, below Eleventh street. This is also from
Mr. Wanamaker.
No. TO- Composed of iron, is placed near Passyunk
road and Fifth street The gift of John Welsh
No III is a granite structure on Eleventh street,
above Chestnut. Erected by the society.
No. l2 is fine terra Gotta fountain, almost COM
pleted to be placed on Rttenhouse Square. This is
from Mr. Henry C. Bayley.
Three more fountains are almost finished, the loca-
hons not yet being determined, and Will be reSpec-
tiyelv the gifts of Mr.. Atherton Blight Mr.. Wana-
maker, and Mr.. Charles IL. Muirhead.
A granite horse trough has been placed on Della
ware avenue, Race street. by the society, and
live more are ordered. They will be distributed
along Delaware avenue, which is part of the city
where they are much needed.
Fault has been found with the plain appearance
OF some of these fountains Plain they certainly are
come forward and contribute large sum of money.
more elaborate structures can he erected But there
are some which can by no means be passed Sneer-
ingy. The one built recently on Ridge avenle,
below Eleventh street, is certainly very pretty
affair. Several are ornamentcd with vases holding
plants and flowers. The one designated as No. ~ is
TO be of very superior construction. A German
artist lately engaged, who is very excellent at this
sort of work. is preparing the fountain. 1t is to be
of terra Gotta with satuary on the top OF life size,
representing Hager in the Wilderness. The design
very beautiful fountain has lately been erected
in the Regents Park, London, of which we give
description 1t will serve to show what can be done
as soon as some liberal gentleman steps forward
with the necessary funds such an ornament could
then be erected for our city. Until such time we
must be content with palmer and Scss costly ar
rangements. IL would not do TO put all the funds
Of the society on one massive and imposing struc-
ture when so many are needed. This fountain was
built under the auspices OF the London Metropo-
Titan Fountain Association, for London also has
such society, and was the gift of retired Indian
merchant. The cost was Gl4On or something like
$4,000 in gold:-
'The structure from base to summit stands % feet
and is chiefly composed of Sicilian marble, inter
mixed with serpentine and with polished red Aoer
deen granite 1t is reached by three massive granite
steps of sexagon fom the basement Of the fountain
being quadrangular, facing east, west, north ant
south There are four fountains falling from tn,
centre OF lily flower into large font-like looking
basin constructed OF the polished red Aberdeen
granite, resting upon pillars, and from each c0rne
Of the square tower springs ,pediment whilst tn,
centre is OF spiral form, beautifully sculptured, witt
appropriate designs representing water flowers o
various descriptions, surmounted at the apex with
prOup representing the lotus On the southern
'front.' above the panel intended for the inscription
is a very beautifully sculptured head repre-
senting the benevolent donor wearing hi
Parsee cap the face being unmistakabl
Oriental. On the western front Is the pOrtrai
of the Queen, the panel beneath being elaboratel
chased with flowers bearing i'll the centre the rOya
monogram V. X. and the Imperial crown. On tn
opposite side facing east in a corresponding posi-
tion 10 the portrait Of her Majesty Is that her lat
ROyal ConsOrt Prince Albert the entablature under
meath being filled In with fine piece Of scuptur
representing the Indian lion in the midst OF jungle
The northern frontage is useful as well as ornamen
tai in the centre OF the tower there Is an eegan
gilt-faced clock. Beneath this, in the entablature
corresponding TO that of the African lion, there is
fine sculptured representation of the Brahnin bull
also in the midst of its native foliage. The Who'll
work is original in its design, and the pediments
the angles are surmounted with representations @
small palms and other flowers. The principal bloc
OF marble, forming portion Of the base of the four
TAIN weighs nearly four TONS and the entire weigh
of marble used In the construction of the fountain
ten tons, and granite about four tons, or fourtee
tons altogether"
Our Philadelphia society has had great difficulty
finding suitable situations for their fountains The
however acknowledge the kind and liberal spiT