FOUNTAIN, a basin or jet for the supply of fresh running water. There are foun tains of every form and variety, from the simple spring with its natural basin, to the most elaborate and ornamental structure for the display or supply of water. In all ages, fountains have been considered as public monuments of the greatest. importance; and where the source for their supply has not been provided by nature on the spot, immense labor and expenditure have often been incurred to make up for the deficiency. The splendid aqueducts (q.v.) of the Romans are instances of the important light in which they regarded the fountains of their cities. Every Roman town had at least one aque duct, the water from which was distributed to as many' fountains as the population required.
Utility is the first ollject of a fountain, and although they are frequently made subjects of great display and mTgniticence, the finest fountains are those where the water is the greatest ornament. In the middle ages, fountains of great.beauty and variety of form' , were built, but the useful nature of the structure was never lost sight of. Sometimes a springlwas arched over for protection, with a beautiful vault, and a statue of the patron saint placed in a niche,- with a basin below .to contain the water. In towns where a number of persons might require to draw at one time, a large basin was erected, with a pillar iu the center, from which pipes radiated all round—each with its separate jet to supply the running water—wldle the basin was used for washing the pitchers. Many
examples of this kind of F. remain. The pillar is sometimes surmounted bra statue, or has one or more basins, with ornamental streams and jets of 'water falling front tier to tier. A beautiful F. of this nature existed in the royal palace at Linlith gow, and a copy of it has been erected in front of Ilolyrood palace.
In modern times, the French have distinguished themselves by their magnificent.
fountains, those of Paris and Versailles being almost unrivaled. In England, the fountains at Chatsworth (q.v.) and those at the Crystal palace are among the finest, and are remarkable for the great height to which the water is thrown. Although Rome has lost four fifths of the aqueducts which so lavishly supplied her with fresh water in the times of the empire, she is still unsurpassed for the number, beauty, and utility of the public fountains which adorn her streets and places.
Modern fountains are, for the most part, entirely ornamental. This arises from modern mode of distributing water in pipes through the houses, making the street-foun tains to a great extent useless. It is found, however, that our town populations—both man and beast—require some public supplies of water, and these are now largely sup plied by the numerous drinking-fountains which are being constructed in all our principal towns.