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January 2, 1885.J THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. 7 Nearly a thousand prints were shown from various parts of the country, and several prizes were awarded. The prevail ing size of the pictures was 5 by 8. The New YoRK AMATEUR. N. K, December 13th, 1881. Zebiebs. Manuel du Touriste PIOTOGIAPITE. Par M. Leon Vidal. (Paris: Gauthier- Villars.') WE have here a comprehensive volume of over three hun- dred octavo pages, and copiously illustrated with sketches of such appliances as are calculated to be of most value to the photographic wanderer. As a hand-book for the tourist, this work of M. Vidal stands alone, so that any person who wishes to make himself familiar with all the branches of the subject, without the labour of collecting matter which is diffused through the pages of photo graphic publications, has no alternative but to obtain M. Vidal’s book. The work before us treats of the making of the nega tive, whether on a plate, or in pellicular form, and will be followed by a second volume relating to the produc tion of positive pictures of various kinds. M. Vidal is to be congratulated on bis success in having produced a work so much wanted, and in having made his book so attractive and practical. FASHIONABLE PHOTOGRAPHY. Scene—A palatial reception room. Elegantly attired lady assistant discovered. Enter lady and gentleman sitters. G. S. (somewhat awed by the gorgeous surroundings) “ We would like our photographs taken, if you please.” y;4 ASstsTANT. “Certainly; what style would you G. S. (hesitatingly to ladv fitter) « Well, I scarcely know. What do yon think, Jane ? " L. A. “ these are our cabinets—a very nice size—or per haps you d like the panel or promenade portraits; they’re very fashionable just now.” G. S. “ But they’re so thick. You can’t put them in an album.” L. S. “ How absurd you are, George. They’re not meant for albums, are they?” (to lady assistant) L. A. “ No, madam. You place them on a stand on the table, or on a wall. We have ornamental stands, brackets, screens in plush, ormulu, or the new reponse work of every design. Here is a very chaste article.” G. S. (beginning to be frightened) “ Oh, very chaste indeed. But 1 don’t think we want panel portraits (con fers with lady sitter). No, something to go in an album.” L. A- (decidedly) “Then I should recommend the cabinet size.” G. S. (much relieved) " Yes, 1 think so.” L. A. “ How many will you have?" G. 8. (after another conference with L. S.) “ Well, a dozen of my wife, and —and, oh! half-a-dozen will do for me." L. A. (insinuatingly) “ Will that be enough ?" G. S. (hastily) “ Oh, quite enough. (L. A. sits-down at desk, and scribbles on a printed form, stamps, hands it to G. S., and all in twenty seconds). G. S. “Eh, what’s this? Three Guineas!” L. A. (blandly) “You said a dozen and a half, you know.” G. S. (in dismay) “Oh, but I’m not going to pay two guineas a dozen. 1 thought about 12s. 6d. or 15s.” I .A. (with dignity) “ Oh, I daresay you can get them at th2t price at some places, but ours is a first-class establishment. 1 think the operator is disengaged now.” (whistles up pip^ G. 8. (agitated) “ Well, but—(to L. S.)—my dear, Iwas not prepared for this. (To L. A.) No, no, pray don’t trouble the operator. I—I—” L. A. (sweetly) “Oh, it’s no trouble, I assure you. Perhaps you’ll kindly show the receipt to the operator. Yes, through that door on the right.” G. S. (to L. S.) “ Jane, I will not. The portraits may be very good, but I can’t afford the price. (To L. A.) Good morning. I’m so sorry I troubled you.” (Drags lady through door on left, and finds himself in palatial reception room, No. 2. Gentlemanly assistant advances towards him). G. A. “ You would like to see our portraits in oils, sir ? ” G. S. (nervously) “No, I wanted to”— (Enter lady assistant, and whispers to gentlemanly assistant) G. A. “ I beg your pardon, sir, but have you examined the quality of the work we turn out ? ” G. S. “ Oh, it’s admirable, but”— (rushes into palatial reception-room, No. 3, is met by bland elderly gentleman) B. E. G. “ Good morning, sir ! Photographs in ivory or porcelain, eh ! ” (to G. A. who has entered and whispered something). “ Ah, I think we shall be able to arrange this little difficulty. Allow me to point out the advantages which our establishment possesses over any other. In the first place, there is absolutely no waiting. A short time ago a gentleman called here in a great hurry—ah ! that is his picture, madam, and a very fine work of art it is. He could only give us five minutes, and I assure you, sir, that in four minutes and a-half we had taken his portrait, re ceived his money, and he was out of the house. Now comes the curious part of the business. Within a fortnight of being photographed he was a dead man.” G. S. (alarmed) “ Eh, bless me—Jane, for goodness sake let’s get out.” B. E. G. “ Think, sir, what a comfort his portrait must be to his family." G. S. (to lady, who will look at the photographs) “ Jane, I say B. E. G. “ You never can tell what may happen ; I should certainly advise you not to delay a single ins”— (G. S. clutches lady by the waist and drags her out of the reception-room, finds his way on to staircase, and never stops till he gets outside. Left hailing a Hanson. Jotes. To say anything in praise of the magnificent winter scene by Mr. Valentine, which forms our supplement this week, would be superfluous ; but its value to our readers is much enhanced by the fact that Mr. Valentine con tributes a practical article on winter photography (p. 4). Just as necessity brings one strange bed-fellows, so popularity introduces one to most incongruous window mates. Photographic portraiture is a great leveller and non-respecter of persons or opinions. We have seen a High Church bishop’s carte supported—as they say in heraldry—by a sensational ballet-dancer and a Liberation- ist Dissenting parson. Actors’ portraits are cheek-by-jowl with politicians—though this, perhaps, is not such an incon gruous association, after all. Great inventors and notorious criminals, cardinals and courtesans, noblemen and republi cans, are all mixed up with absolute indifference and im partiality. Greatness has become accustomed to this sort of thing, however, and does not seem to mind it. So, too, it will