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THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. 125 EEBRUARY 20, 1885.] those who, like myself, are firm believers in the general superiority of direct views. The subject is a very wide one, and I do not see how it can properly be dealt with from a merely optical point of view.—I am,dear sir, yours truly, W. H. Wheeler. PHOTOGRAPHERS’BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION. Sir,—Tnis Association has now been established for ten years, but has not been able toemerge from the embryo state. It has not failed to make its existence known, for it has enjoyed the good offices oi the Press, a benefit even ing at the Photographic Society’s Annual Exhibition, and altogether a reasonable amount of publicity. Some well- known names figure on its Council; its Secretary has been assiduous ; some charitable service has been done, and there is a small accumulated fund. Nevertheless, it would be absurd to claim for the Association the position of adequately representing the benevolent energy of the photographic fraternity. Is its feeble existence due to error of inception, or of management? Or is such an organization uncalled for in the circumstances of the profession ? Possibly it is not wanted ; skilful photographers, masters, and assistants may find their business so safe and remunerative, that with ordinary care and provident arrangement associated charity is not wanted. The accidents of life may be so few in their ranks as to receive adequate help and com miseration by private generosity, by which nothing is shorn of the value of free gifts by costs of management, nor of their grace by dely, and a quasi publicity. If this be so, then happy the profession more secure against the vicissi tudes of fortune than any ether. Such fortune, however, if it exists, is not likely to be permanent in a world of competing activities, and the present is a fitting t ine for the members of the photo graphic body to consider if they will allow the woik of ten years to be abandoned, or infuse new life into the Association. The photographic fraternity is numerous and wealthy enough to make such an association really effective, if believed to be desirable ; and the writer would be glad to elicit opinions from both masters and men on this point. If there be defective organization of the Association, its rules, and the appointment of its officers, rest entirely with the members, and there would be no difficulty in adapting both to larger means and greater usefulness. W. S. Biro. Sir,—In reading the report of the meeting of the Photo graphers’ Benevolent Association in your last issue, I cannot help thinking that a great deal of its non-success may be attributed to the basis upon which it is worked. Why not make it a self-supporting society, not a * benevolent institution'” Benevolence is grand for those who can give, but it is more pleasant to give than receive. Depend upon it, the largest section of photographers—that is, the employes—would much prefer a society on the principle of a mutual aid society: that is to say, let there be a fixed scale of benefits ; let there be a certain sum per week in sickness, also a sum at death of members ; and if the sub scriptions were raised, as undoubtedly they would have to be, I believe the Society would soon improve. Of course, it would become a benefit society, and why not ? D es it not teach independence. Why should we rely on the bene volence of the generous? Those gentlemen at the head of the profession who have so kindly come forward with their assistance could still aid us as honorary members: but let ordinary members feel, in appealing to the Society, that they do so as their right; that in doing so they are not endangering their in dependence by falling upon the charity of others, although they may pay a small sum per year. I should like to have the opinion of others on the matter, and remain yours, bicansea. James Lambert. Proteediings of Societies. London and Provincial PHOTOGRAPIIIC Association. A meeting of this Society was held on Thursday, the 12th inst., Mr. A. J. Brown in the chair. There was a large attendance to hear Messrs. C. and F. Darker’s lecturette, “AChat about the Lime-Light and Inter ference.” The first part consisted of a practically illustrative explanation of the lime-light, from the manufacture of the gas to its use with various kinds of jets, including the cause and prevention of accidents. This was given for the benefit of amateurs, upon whom Mr. Charles Darker strongly urged the necessity of keeping the same pressure on both gases when using the oxygen and hydrogen mixed gas jets. Purifying oxygen by passing it through a series of wash bottles was shown, and particular stress was laid on the fact that the last vessel of the series should not contain water, or dry gas would not be obtained. Replying to the Chairman, Mr. Darker said three washings would be enough for the gas ; a fourth dry bottle was then attached to such a series, to illustrate how much water could be taken into the bag under certain conditions, without the manipulator becoming aware of its presence. The second portion of the lecture, dealing with “ Interference,” was a continuation of their three previous demonstrations on light. The Lecturer showed some beautiful illustrations of the colours obtained with films of soap, turpentine, oil, &c., and these being again analysed with a bisul phide of carbon prism proved very interesting, as also did the experiments with diffraction gratings, and the rings of colour produced by interposing some very fine lime dust and fern spores in a divergent ray of light. In the course of the illustrations, the projection on the screen of sound waves by the phoneidoscope, to illustrate lateral waves, was remarkable. Diffraction was shown by partially intercepting the rays of a sharply defined image. Altogether the lecturette was a series of experiments which were highly appreciated by those present. The Chairman, in proposing a vote of thanks to Messrs. 0. and F. Darker, said it was not only for the lecturette, but also for the trouble and expense they had been put to in bringing so much valuable property there for the purpose, that the Society’s thanks were due. Having referred to the diffi culties under which Mr. C. Darker laboured in performing his own most difficult experiments, and doing the talking as well, he considered it only fair to Messrs. Darker that the discussion should be adjourned, and especially as the evening was so far advanced. This was accordingly done, and a hearty vote of thanks ac corded to those gentlemen. A glass plate, from which a negative film had been washed off, was sent to the meeting, and it was said that a slight image showing thereon was bitten into the surface of the glass ; but one of the members found it an easy matter to rub the deposit off. To test the value of perchloric acid, suggested by Mr. Deben- ham as an antidote for green fog. Mr. Henderson had made an ammonia emulsion with favourable conditions for any quantity of green fog ; 240 grains of silver nitrate used in compounding the emulsion, had an addition of 120 min'ms of perchloric acid. Upon converting the silver into ammonia nitrate there was a flocculent precipitate which would not redissolve in ammonia. Mr. Henderson desired to know what the precipitate was com posed of. Green fog was entirely absent; but there was brown fog, which was worse. The sample of acid was not new. Mr. Debenham said the quantity of perchloric acid used was much greater than he mentioned; two or three drops would be sufficient for 240 grains of silver. He thought the precipitate spoken of by Mr. Henderson would have dissolved if more ammonia hid been added; and he thought if the experiment were repeated with a fresh sample of acid and less of it, success would result. Messrs. E. Haise and W. Strickland were electad members of the Society. NEwcasrLE-os-TySE and Northern Counties Paoro- anaric Association. The ordinary meeting of the above Association was hel 1 in the College of Phy deal Science, Newcastleon-Tyne, on We Inesday, the Hth inst., at 7.30 p.m., the President, Prof. A.S. HERSCHEL, in the chair. The minutes having been read and confirmed,
