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FEBRUARY 20, 1885.] THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS 121 thus come into general use, would it not be better for the House to go in for a big frame at the side of the Speaker’s chair, on which enlarged copies of the various objects alluded to could be exhibited to the whole of the members present and the public upstairs as well? A door-keeper could attend with a pointer too, and point out the details of the photographs for the M.P. who was speaking. Such a plan would certainly add to the interest of the debates. In a not inconsiderable Yorkshire town the three principal photographers held a consultation as to the best method of putting a stop to the “ club system ; ” that is to say, the sending out canvassers to take orders for por traits, and to receive the payment by instalments. After much deliberation they determined to issue the following notice, and they did issue it; every dead wall was plastered with the bills ; shop keepers were asked to display them in their windows ; and each police station showed one on its notice-board. "£20 Reward.—Whereas, it has come to the know ledge of the undersigned that certain persons have fraudulently canvassed from house to house in our names, taking orders for photographs, receiving monies in part payment, and frequently possessing themselves of valuable originals, of which they have professed to be able to supply copies ;>we herewith state that we have never employed agents to take orders for us, and that to any person giving us such information as shall lead to the apprehension and conviction of any one of the before-mentioned impostors, we will pay a reward of £20. Signed— “A. B.,"&c. This ruse succeeded ; the offer of a reward was talked of, but no claimant for it came forward ; still so much dis trust of club agents followed, that two canvassing photo graphers had to close their establishments. Not the mouth only, but the whole expression of the face changes when the various vowel sounds are articulated. At any rate, this is the case if the illustrations given by M. Felix Hement in the current number of La Nature are to be depended upon ; they are said to be exactly copied from photographs, and show the same lad as he appeared when reciting the various vowels. Not only Mr. Galton, but also the “art” photographer, should be able to make something of this ; the former might make one composite showing Mr. Irving reciting from Hamlet, and another showing the same actor in a comedy ; while the “ art " photographer may be expected to build up a very dictionary of expressions, with their corresponding words. Mr. Van Beer’s striking picture, “La Sirene," which was the subject of such hot discussion in Paris some time ago, is now being exhibited in London, together with a collection of the artist’s work. The intensely photographic look of “ La Sirene ” is certainly some excuse for the critic whose statement that it was simply a photograph coloured, led to an action being brought against him by Mr. Van Beers, who scraped away the head of one of the figures to show that it had no photographic substratum. The critic was wrong, but whether the picture had any help from photography in the way of suggestion is another matter. The IVorld’s latest “ Celebrity at Home ” is Mr. J. W. Swan, of Newcastle. Presumably the writer is unaware that Mr. Swan’s greatest triumphs have been made in con nection with photography, for there is not a word on the subject from the beginning to the end of the article. Why does not the Amateur Photographic Association have an exhibition ? The number of members is large, and much good work is done, but this work is known only to the members themselves. The system of the Association is this : each member contributes every year a certain number of negatives. These are printed and mounted by the Society, and copies sent to every member. By this plan, every member of the Association amasses a goodly collection. At the same time it would do the Asso ciation no harm if the outside world of photography knew a little more about it. " Babies are so much alike,” said an exasperated photo grapher the other day, “ that if mammas did not persist in making ridiculous distinctions with their dresses, one might have a stock photograph which would do for all the little nuisances. No mother minds her baby being made a little better looking, but the difficulty of particular ribbons and laces can’t be got over. If there was only a law passed that babies should be taken in purls naturallbus, what a lot of trouble would be saved 1 ” The man spoke feelingly, for he had wasted a dozen plates, and at last had to tell mamma she would have to come again. He certainly wasn't so fortunate as the Chinese photographer who, we are told, kept only one negative, and found it served excellently well for all his sitters. But then the whole nation of Chinese, as Dickens said, “ haven’t a profile among the lot.” atent ntelligence. Applications for Letters Patent. 2085. Francis James AsIBURNER, 33, Chancery Lane, London, for “Improvements in photography.”—14 Feb., 1885. 2102. Charles Preston, 6, Livery Street, Birmingham, for ‘‘Improvements in photographic camera lens shutters."— 10 Feb., 1885. Patents Sealed. 3531. Thomas Honywood, of Courtenay House, the Causeway, Horsham, in the county of Sussex, gentleman, for “ Improve ments in nature-printing.”—Dated 18th February, 1884. 3806. Josiah William Saunders, David Thomas Davies, and James Alexander Macdonald, trading as Saunders, Davies, and Macdonald, of Ryland Works, Upper Tower Street, Birmingham, Brassfounders, for “ Improvements in head-rests for perambulators, invalids’ chairs, barbers’ and photographers’ chairs, and for other like purposes.”—Dated 25th February, 1884. Specifications Published during the Week. 3865. Thomas JArEs, 37, Renshaw Street, Liverpool, County of Lancashire, Sewing Machine Agent, for “ Improvements