Volltext Seite (XML)
248 TSE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. LAPRIL 17, 1885. Jlotes. A supplement illustrative of the remarkable results obtained by Mr. Francis Galton’s method of composite portraiture is given with the present issue of the News, and another illustration of the same subject will follow next week. In Mr. Galton’s article on page 243 will be found much detailed information ; and it is to be hoped that opticians will endeavour to supply Mr. Galton with the instrument he requires—an apparatus for immediately presenting to the eye a composite of any reasonable number of com ponents. From an artistic point of view, much might be said, the composites recalling the ideal pictures of the great masters. Perhaps the most real difference between a photographic portrait and a good painting is that the former is merely an exact representation of one phase of the sitter’s individuality, while the latter may be a com posite of an indefinite number of phases. A feeling of universal sorrow has been experienced in photographic circles in consequence of the sudden death of the Lord Mayor. A chill, taken at the Brighton Review, developed into pleurisy, but on Wednesday he was so much better that he took part in some ceremonies connected with the Blue coat School. He, however, did this against the doctor’s advice; and was, no doubt, prompted by a kindly feeling, which made him feel that the boys would be disappointed at his absence. In the photographic department of the Inventions Ex hibition things seem rather more forward than in other departments. A good show may be expected. The historical collection of photographic mementos which is to be exhibited under the auspices of the Photo graphic Society promises to be one of considerable in terest, and the committee have been well supported by those who possess relics of the past having photographic interest. Still there are phases in photographic history not represented, and any of our readers who have old stock they may be willing to lend, would facilitate the work of the committee by immediately forwarding a list to Prof. W. F. Donkin, Honorary Secretary of the Photographic Society, 5a, Pall Mall East. We are informed that some of the early lenses would be very acceptable. (Scene — A Photographic Studio near St. Thomas's Hospital). Photographer—“ I can’t take your portrait, sir, if you hold your head so low down. I just get the bald part, and the rims of your glasses.” Medical Student— “ Capital; just what I want. This portrait’s for my father, and I want him to see that I’m working so hard it’s affecting my health. I've asked him for the cash to go out of town for a fortnight! ” The prospects of a supply of platinum from New South Wales seem to be encouraging, this metal existing to a very notable extent in the sand of the sea shore near Richmond River ; while a nugget weighing over half-an- ounce was recently found near Wiseman’s Creek. Should the platinotype process of photographic printing become general, fresh sources of the metal will be needed. One of the oddest suggestions made for a long time is that of Mr. T. Kay, of Stockport, who, the other day, in a paper read before the Manchester Literary and Philo sophical Society, proposed to make sea water drinkable by treating it with citrate of silver! Mr. Kay gravely sets forth the chemical changes which would take place— namely, the displacement of the chlorides by combining with the silver, and the formation of the harmless citrates of sodium, potassium, magnesium, &c. He observes that sea water thus treated would be slightly aperient and diuretic if taken in large quantities, but would be suitable for moistening the parched throats of shipwrecked mariners. No doubt. But setting aside the cost, are we to imagine a shipwrecked crew rushing to the medicine chest for citrate of silver, before betaking themselves to the boats, and subsequently performing a delicate chemical experi ment in the open sea ? We have also doubts as to the usefulness of citrate of silver, supposing more be put in than the equivalent of chlorides. And with the con stant rocking of the boat, how is the chloride of silver to settle, or is a filtering arrangement to be taken 'I The idea of drinking turbid chloride of silver is not pleasant. Mr. Kay’s notion savours too much of the quasi-scientific romances of M. Jules Verne to be thoroughly acceptable. To make sea water potable by distillation is a tolerably easy process, and the ingenuity of shipwrecked sailors has now and then rendered it possible to carry on a rough process of distillation in an open boat at sea; the con densing arrangement being a piece of waterproof sail, folded so as to form a bag which can hold some pints of sea water. The Chicago Times has a curious story of a painting o the “ Deathbed of Lincoln," executed by an artist named Lichfield. President Lincoln, it will be remembered, was shot in the theatre. An army surgeon, Dr. C. S. Taft, happened to be present, and he it was who went to the assistance of the wounded man and remained with him until he died. When the picture was painted, Dr. Taft naturally supposed he would be represented, and so he was; but the picture now appears, not with the portrait of Taft as the medical attendant, but with the portrait of Surgeon-General Crane. No one would have been any the wiser, had not the picture been photographed when first painted. It seems that Surgeon-General Crane had the head of Taft scratched out and his own portrait inserted. The Beauty Competition at Paris, which had to be decided by judging the photographs of the candidates, and not the candidates themselves, is over. The prize has been carried off by a young Parisian lady, twenty years old,
