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712 THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. [NONEMIBER 6, 1885. Another caisson remains to be founded, when it is hoped further efforts may be made in this direction to secure photographs under conditions as novel as difficult, and with more success than has hitherto attended the attempts here briefly sketched. The best thanks of the author are due to W. D. Valen tine, of Dundee, who accompanied him on two occasions into the air-chamber, for much valuable advice and assis tance, kindly afforded to him in this matter. Zotes. Our supplement this week, “Preparing for a Rainy Day,” by George Renwick, is a picture of a kind—descrip tive rather than imaginative—for which photography is, in the opinion of many people, better suited than for subjects where it is attempted to give form to more poetic aspirations. The pose of the umbrella-mender is unstudied and natural, and the accessories such as properly belong to the figure. As to absolute beauty, there is even yet no universally recognised standard. If, however, as has recently been stated on authority, there is perfection of a certain kind of beauty—resulting from adaptation to utility—in a plough and a wheelbarrow, surely something may be said in favour of a step-ladder, an umbrella, and a knife-grinder’s whee. The subject of Mr. Renwick’s picture is one which obviously justifies its title. Except for the taste of those who profess aestheticism of the highest cult, there has pro bably being enough, both in picture galleries and in photo graphy, of a mawkish looking female figure which might certainly as well be labelled “ Vacuity," as with any of the titles supposed to be expressive of some mood or emotion which it has pleased the artist to fix upon. The idea embodied in the “ detective camera ” is being worked—and worked well, too—on the other side of the Atlantic. The October Number of Anthony's Bulletin is illustrated with a couple of “ shots ” on quarter-plates, headed “ Taken by an Amateur.” One is a picture of black sheep, the grass and background to which come out with evidence of ample exposure. The other picture is a street scene, and this also shows good exposure throughout, whilst the moving figures are well caught, and the houses in good focus ; altogether a capital little picture. Now that gelatine plates have advanced to such a degree of rapidity and perfection, “ detective cameras ’’ of one kind or another will doubtless come more and more into favour with amateurs. The art of advertising is one in which the Americans are by no means behind. We have been accustomed to see attractive faces used on hoardings to advertise things—such as cigarettes, for instance—with which they have no obvious connection. In an advertisement of a roller-slide camera that reaches us from the States, the operator is represented by a charming girl of apparently about 14 years of age, who, with daintily-gloved hand, is manipulating the ap ■ paratus, “ How easy it must be to work I” is the thought suggested simultaneously with admiration of the fair face and comely attire. That enterprising young society, the London and Provin- cial Photographic Association, has been much exercised at its last two meetings on the subject of “ Auxiliary Expo sures.” The effect of these exposures in causing a higher sensitometer number to be registered upon the plate than would be obtained without it, was pointed out by W. K. Burton and others some three years since, and has been generally recognized; but being denied by one member of the L. and P. P. A., the Society determined to repeat the original experiments, and ordered its Secretary to pro cure the necessary plates, appliances, &c. However, two gentlemen having brought up a report confirming the original statement, the incredulous member confessed him self satisfied, and the facts were considered as established. Next Friday, the 13th inst., will be the annual “bene fit night ” of the Photographic Benevolent Association al the Exhibition Rooms. We hope that the evening, which is always more or less of a social gathering, will be well attended. Permission is generally required to photograph in places of special interest on the Continent, and the following experiences may embody a useful hint as to how to go to work to get the permission. Two tourists wished for per mission to photograph in the Forum and Coliseum at Rome. One of these went to the central office of works, and asked formally for permission to photograph. His passport having been inspected and he himself catechised, he was sent from department to department, and at last received a letter which, after having been signed by his hotel keeper, would be exchanged for a permit at the office of the superintendent of antiquities. The other went direct to the office of the superintendent of antiquities, and hold ing out his small camera—which, by-the-bye, was com pressed to the utmost, and the legs shortened to the ex treme possible—simply asked for an authority to take this small photographic apparatus into the Forum and Coli seum. It was granted instantly, the only pause in the pre paration of the document being when the official came to the place where the name should be filled in, and paused to ask—What name ? The practical lesson is, that when the tourist merely wishes to expose a few dry plates in a place of interest, he should take care to let the official know that he will neither set up a tent nor otherwise cause inconvenience. Photographers’ posing chairs continue to be patented in America. Of one of the most recent we learn by its title that it is intended for “photographers’ or dentists’ use. The title and a reference to “ easily operated levers," de scribed as part of the invention, recall an illustration—also American—of a “ too much rested sitter ” which was reproduced in the last Year-Book. Mention of a “dentist’s chair ” must bring to the mind of the portrait photographer