Drinking Fountain Oxford Street Manchester

The Manchester Courier speaks of having inspected a specimen drinking- fountain at the marble works of Messrs Patteson, being one of a number intended for erection in various parts of the city by Mr. Robert Barnes. The fountain consists of polished Aberdeen granite and bronze, and only projects from a wall 13 inches. A large shield-shaped slab of highly polished granite forms the upper portion of the fountain, and from its centre projects a conventionalized human head, in bronze, ornamented with ivy leaves and other decoration, out of the mouth of which flows the water, almost perpendicularly, so that there is no splashing. The liquid falls into a small basin, and thence into a larger one, whence it passes off by two openings. Drinking cups of galvanized iron are suspended at the sides by chains of the same metal. The fountains will be placed at a convenient height for children, but means will be taken to prevent them playing with the water. There is an inscription, recording that the fountain was "Presented, a.d. 1859, by Robert Barnes." It is intended to erect this specimen fountain beneath the railway arch in Oxford-street. Mr. Barnes has offered to erect as many of these fountains as the populous necessities of the city may require. A suggestion has been made that, by the use of a ball-tap, the lifting of the drinking-cups might be made to turn on the water, which would then not be wasted. [Builder 5 February 1859 page 100]  

DRINKING FOUNTAINS FOR MANCHESTER  -  It will be remembered that the offer of Mr. Robert Barnes, of this city, to supply a number of drinking fountains, to be placed under the charge of the authorities, has been accepted by the corporation, and we may now state that Messrs. J. and H. Patteson, of (jxford-road, have completed for Mr. Barnes a fountain as a sample. It is undoubtedly the neatest and most artistic thing of the kind we have seen. It consists of a trefoil-shaped mural slab of polished Aberdeen red granite, with a semicircular basin of the same material attached, from which rises a truncated cone with a concave top. Attached to the slab is a male head, conventionally treated, crowned, and overspread with laurel leaves. The head is in brass, and through the open mouth the water flows direct into the small cup of the cone, and, thence passing into the basin, is carried off through outlets, one at each angle. There can thus be no wetting of the pavement, except that which is accidentally caused !' drinkers. There are two galvanised iron ladles, attached by chains, the end of the handle of each being clawed and bent, so that the ladles are easily hung upon ornamented iron-holders. The slab has an outer rim of brass, bearing the inscription, “Presented, “A.D. 1859, by Robert Barmes, Esq." It is probable, we believe, that this sample of Mr. Barnes's liberality will be placed under the railway arch in Oxford-road.-Manchester Guardian. [Building News 4 February 1859 page 126]

Reference        Builder 5 February 1859 page 100
Reference        Building News 4 February 1859 page 126