Page 20 - The Tale of Two Fountains

Campanile
of the building was a tower (Campanile) which was for many years a prominent landmark on the Northampton skyline. Unfortunately, both of these handsome industrial buildings were demolished in 1982 to make way for office de- velopment.
Interestingly enough, the factory concept was introduced in these buildings against the will of shoe makers from Northampton who feared that the use of machinery would create unem- ployment and low wages. Shoe makers in those days worked from home and the idea of factory discipline was averse to them.
Captain Samuel Isaac, like any other successful businessman of the era, was ambitious and it is said the fountain was a gift to the town as he was standing for a Parliamentary seat in Northamp- ton.
So when a letter was read at the Town Council meeting in February 1863 from Samuel Isaac offering to pay for the fountain in the Market Square to mark the forthcoming Royal mar- riage, the offer was met with a mixed reception. To some it was welcome, to others, it looked like
THE TALE OF TWO FOUNTAINS
a bribe. The fountain was to replace the old cast iron pump and gas standard. After a long debate, a decision was reached to accept the offer. Work began rapidly following the resolution and the inau- guration was held on the birthday of Prince Albert, on 9th November 1863. The band of the 5th Corps of the Northamptonshire Rifle Volunteers led the parade to the Square where Captain Samuel Isaac gave the deed of presentation to the Mayor, Mr J. Phipps who then handed it to the Town Clerk, Mr J. Jeffery.
The fountain, which stood as an integral part of the Market Square for almost a century, is still missed by many locals in Northampton. The base and steps were often used as an assembly point and from it many important people, including George Bernard Shaw and Charles Bradlaugh, spoke to the town’s people. On Sunday afternoons, the steps of the fountain became the scene for many speeches and debates. Various political groups gave speeches to passers-by and often there would be two speakers competing, one on either side of the column. This shows that the Market Square and the Fountain were a central point of the town’s social and political history.
Many people in India will know the name of Charles Bradlaugh2, who was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament for Northampton from 1880 until his death in 1891. He was also known as “Member for
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