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409 it be equally true that Messrs. Braun do use the retouching pencil, here is a capital opportunity for showing their skill. But what about Mr. Morelli’s copy of the Raffaelle ? A miniature reproduction of a recent number of Moon shine, in which photozincography has been utilised to re duce the page to somet hing like the size of the palm of one’s hand, strikingly illustrates the circumstance that type matter reduced by photography is remarkably easy to read. As a contrast with this small reproduction, one may refer to the circumstance that the front page of a recent issue of Illustrated Bits has been enlarged to nearly seven feet high, and copies do duty as posters on the London hoardings. The example set by the Journal of the Pholoijraphic Soctely in giving illustrations is about to be followed by the Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, in which it is proposed to publish portraits of the past presidents. There will be two whole page plates, one of Professor Owen, the first president of the Microscopical Society of London, and another of Mr. Glaisher, the first president of the Royal Microscopical Society after the charter ; the remain ing portraits will be printed in two groups. Not only to photography, but also to several other branches of technology, does Mr. W. B. Woodbury give his attention. His latest invention—as recorded in the archives of the Patent Office—is a system of railway signalling by musical notes or sequences, as in the case of bugle calls, the pipes or reeds being worked by steam or compressed air. The comfort of those living near to railways would hardly be increased if every train and every signal box were to become a gigantic steam organ, and every driver or signalman a performer thereon. To be really useful, the new steam music must be loud enough to rise clearly and distinctly above the raging of the elements or the rush of the trains. Intensely absurd pictures are occasionally perpetrated by third-rate photographers ; whether consciously or un consciously, we would rather not say. Passing the other day along a well-known thoroughfare in the suburbs, a ten- eight photograph occupying the place of honour in a show case caught our eye, and at once fascinated us. It was the picture of a wedding party, the whole arranged in a mili tary line, “eyes right,”and noses also. There could not have been the variation of half an inch in the pose of the head of any one of them. The bride and bridegroom (not altogether youthful) stood in the centre, the bride with her veil down, and looking with her out-of-focus features very like a spectre. A more solemn, plain-faced group could not have been put together. But what made the picture so ridiculous was the background. The party had been placed with their backs to a brick wall, on the top oi which was stuck, by some unseen means, a sheet, bearing in large letters, this inscription, " God’s Blessing on the Wedded Pair,” and at the coraers certain initials, pre sumably those of the bride and bridegroom. At cadi side of the sheet was a trophy of flags, also very ghostly, for they had evidently flattered in the breeze while the expo sure was being made. The whole thing was immensely funny; and if the photographer were guiltless of the arrangement, he need not have exhibited the picture. On second thoughts, though, we forgive him—it furnished occasion for a hearty laugh. Mr. W. Downey’s autograph book should be a very valuable one. All the persons of note who sit to him sign their names in a volume kept for the purpose, and as Mr. Downey’s clientele includes a whole host of celebrities, from Royalty downwards, the collection must be singularly unique. It would be interesting to know Mr. Matthews’ opinion of the latest portraits of the Claimant. Mr. Matthews, it will be recollected, is the inventor of a little instrument called the identiscope, by means of which he asserts he can prove the identity of the portrait of the claimant with that of young Roger Tichborne. New portraits of the Claimant are now being exhibited in the shop windows, and it is no exaggeration to say that, cursorily examined, there is not the slightest suggestion of the burly “ Sir Roger,” with whose features some dozen years ago the public were so familiar. Instead of the moon face, with the wrinkleless cheeks fringed with whisker, and the smooth elaborately- arranged hair, we have a countenance seamed and lined, almost square in its contour, a beard and moustache somewhat towzled, and a head of hair the very reverse of smooth. We do not know whether Mr. Matthews based his claim on the recent portraits, or on those taken at or before the trial. It would seem almost impossible that both could coincide with the portrait of young Sir Roger, so unlike are they. Qatent ntelligence. Applications for Letters Patent. 7,411. James Henry Steward, 406, Strand, London, for “ Stops or diaphragms for photographic lenses, and projection apparatus, and instantaneous shutters.”—18th June, 1885. 7,422. Charles Wells, 22, Southampton Buildings, W.C., for “ A method of recording by photography the degree of accuracy in aiming ordnance.”—Complete Specification.—18th June, 1885. 7,488. Alfred Julius Boult, 323, High Holborn, Middlesex, for “Improvements in the manufacture of sensitive films, plates, or tissues for photographic purposes.”— {George Eastman and William Hall Walker, United States).—19th June, 1885. Patents Sealed. 3,184. Henry Harris Lake, 45, Southampton Buildings, London, for “ An improved heliotypic or photo-lithographic process and apparatus to be used therein.”—(C. Angerer and Goschl, Austria.)—10th March, 1885. 3,185. Alfred Julius Boult, 323, High Holborn, Middlesex, for " Improvements in apparatus for applying photographic emulsion to photographic plates.”—{Ell John Palmer, Canada) 11th March, 1885. Patent on which the Seventh Year’s Renewal Fee of £10 has been Paid. 1878—No. 2,800. W. Willis, “ Process of photo-chemical printing.” (Platinotype.) Specifications Published during the Week. 10,033. William Henry RICHARDS, 27b, Great Hampton Street, Birmingham, and William Dyke Wilkinson, 27B,