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280 THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. LMaY 1, 1885. lotes. “ Getting under Weigh,” by Mr. Slingsby, which forms our supplement this week, completely tails it own tale ; and this is one reason why it has already been so much appre ciated by those who are well able to judge as to the artistic qualities of a photograph. Those sympathizing with the objects of the Photo graphers’ Benevolent Association should attend the adjourned annual meeting, No. 181, Aldersgate Street, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, the 6th of May. It is wished that all proposals for extending the usefulness of the Society shall be thoroughly considered. The Royal Academy will open to the public on Monday. A glance round the wall this week was sufficient to show that the Exhibition is not one of surpassing excellence. There is, of course, much good work, but no one picture that will become the talk of London. The portraits number some 150, and some could well be spared. Of the many portraits contributed by Mr. Frank Holl (eight), Mr. Unless (six), and Mr. Herkomer (three), only one, that of Lord Dufferin, is the portrait of a really notable person. Mr. Millais is represented by a masterly painting, “The Ruling Passion,” two charming pictures of children, “ The Lady Peggy Primrose,” and " Orphans,” and the portrait of a Mr. Simon Laser. The first-named of these, together with Mr. Marcus Stone’s “A Gambler’s Wife,” Mr. Briton Rivers’ “The Sheep Stealers,” Mr. W. F. Yeame’s “ Prisoners of War,” “ The Salon of Madame Recamier "of Mr. W. L. Orchardson, and “ Love’s Labour Lost,” one of Mr. E. Long’s effective pictures of Eastern life, and Mr. Poynter’s “ Diadumene,” may be mentioned as standing out particularly beyond the rest. Organised on the same lines as the Chemical Society, Photographic Society, and other analogous associations, is the new “ Society of ’Cyclists,” Dr. B. W, Richardson being president. Meetings are held at 9, Conduit Street, W., once a month during the session (October to May), and the matters dis cussed may be antiquarian, artistic, geographical, mechani cal, or scientific. On Tuesday last Mr. Francis Cobb read a paper on “The Combination of ’Cycling and Photo graphy,” an abstract of this being given on page 279. A “detective” camera made by Mr. A. Stroh presents several novel features, and some excellent pictures of London life have been made with it. the case works the plate-changing contrivance. As made for stereoscopic plates the external dimensions are seven by eight inches, and nine inches high. Mr. Stroh will probably send usa detailed description, not only of the camera, but also of his adventures in using it. Now that the police are very prone to mistake so many articles of everyday use for combinations of dynamite and clock-work, we can readily imagine that Mr. Stroh will have a good deal to relate before many months are over. More illustrations of amateur photography from Funny Folks. The result of a fruitless attempt to photograph Pa in the garden are sufficiently illustrated in our miniature reproduction ; but the comic artist has taken a trifle more than the usual “ licence,” in giving us the subjoined as the result of an exposure by magnesium light. The Dresden printsellers and stationers breathe again now that no one has been found willing to give £150,000 for the Madonna di San Sisto of Raffaelle. This picture is the glory of the Dresden Gallery, and more photographs are sold of it to tourists than of all the other pictures put together. There would be a considerable loss of income to the dealers were the picture removed. Two thousand pounds is guaranteed by some of the in habitants of Aberdeen towards entertaining and feting the members of the British Association in September next. This kind of thing is now carried on to a most undesirable excess, and it is interesting to note that while the scien tific value of the British Association meetings has of late years been rapidly approaching the absolute zero, there has been extra eagerness of the non-efficient members to take advantage of subscription to the Association, as a ready means of getting a cheap holiday. Exposure is made by lifting a flap, so that when this reaches a horizontal position it liberates a quick shutter, as in the apparatus of Reynolds and Branson, and in most cases Mr. Stroh has made his pictures while holding the camera in his hand. A rising lens carrier, and an adjustment for focussing by making an estimate of the distance of the object, are provided; while a draw bar at the bottom of Friends of photography, of course, look after “No. 1,” wherever they are. At the “ Inventions,” however, they will do well to look after “No. 29 ” as well, that being the official designation of the Court space set apart for “Photography” in the new Exhibition. Court “No. 29” will be very easy to find, for the