Sir Andrew Fountaine at The British Museum

myminifactory

Sir Andrew Fountain (1676–1753), a virtuoso, was born in 1676 as the eldest son of Andrew Fountaine, M.P., of Narford, Norfolk, by his wife Sarah, daughter of Sir Thomas Chicheley, master of the ordnance. He belonged to an old Norfolk family and was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, under Dr. Aldrich. Fountain proceeded B.A. in 1696 and M.A. in 1700, studying Anglo-Saxon under Dr. Hickes. In whose 'Thesaurus' he published 'Numismata Anglo-Saxonica et Anglo-Danica illustrata,' Oxford, 1705, folio. Fountain was knighted by William III at Hampton Court on December 30, 1699. He succeeded to the estate at Narford upon his father's death on February 7, 1706. In 1701 he traveled with Lord Macclesfield on a mission to the elector of Hanover. They passed through Munich and traveled in Italy, buying antiquities and curiosities. Fountain stayed for a long time in Paris in 1714 and again visited Italy, staying nearly three years at Rome and Florence. In 1725 he was made vice-chamberlain to Princess Caroline and held the same office when she became queen. He was also tutor to Prince William and installed as knight of the Bath on his behalf. A patent was granted him on January 14, 1725, for adding supporters to his arms. On July 14, 1727, Fountain succeeded Sir Isaac Newton as warden of the mint and held the office until his death on September 4, 1753 at Narford. Fountain incurred the displeasure of Pope, who unfairly attacked him in the 'Dunciad' (iv. l. 347 ff.) as the antiquary Annius. The 'ebon wand' is his vice-chamberlain's black rod and the 'emerald' was a genuine stone said to be in existence at Narford. Fountain was a friend and correspondent of Leibnitz, who said that his wit and good looks made much noise at court when he was abroad. He became intimate with Cosmo III, grand duke of Tuscany, at Florence, and their correspondence has been preserved. When in Ireland in 1707 with Pembroke, the lord-lieutenant, Fountain became acquainted with Swift. Swift and Fountain were very intimate when in London from 1710 to 1712. They often visited the Vanhomrighs' house together at this time. When Fountain was seriously ill in December 1710, Swift visited him and foretold his recovery, though the doctors had given him up. Fountain seems to have corrected the original designs for Swift's 'Tale of a Tub.'