Volltext Seite (XML)
it for use with a pneumatic ball, the inventor had tried several contrivances, but found that the most simple one was a “ Dellalier’s ” core, working lightly in a tube, so that it would strike the knob that released the spring when pressure was applied to the ball. At the same meeting, he communicated the results of his endeavours to construct efficient working cameras for tourist photographers; one, a pocket camera, for use without a stand, and a travelling camera that should con tain a large number of plates in the least possible compass, with facilities for changing them in broad daylight. Mr. Ezoutcbevski explained that in practice there were certain defects in the “ Academy ” type of camera. In the first place, they only give sketches for the artist, and not photographs in the true sense of the word, as the endeavour to produce them at a moderate price had affected the choice of sufficiently coincident lenses ; and, as regards the capabilities of the apparatus, the employ ment of two lenses of different foci was self-apparent. Further, the means of focussing—i.e., without rack-and- pinion, and the absence of a magnifying glass for focussing with, so necessary where the resulting pictures are intended for enlargement—did not, of course, enhance their merits. With a view of overcoming this difficulty of having to obtain for each apparatus two similar lenses possessing the same relative value, Mr. Ezoutchevski has invented a new system of portable camera, with only one lens, and fitted with an internal instantaneous shutter, to which is fastened a reflector, which throws the image on to the ground glass, so that the exposure can be made at the most opportune moment (as the image is always in view) by merely pressing a knob at the side of the camera. The apparatus for lenses in rigid mounts differ slightly from those intended for lenses with rack-and-pinion move ment. For the travelling camera, Mr. Ezoutchevski has modified his camera, which received Honorable Mention at the Geographical Exhibition at Venice. Separate boxes are made, carrying twenty quarter-plates, which can be fitted to the camera, and be replaced by others (containing the same number of plates) without having recourse to a dark-room. From this it will be seen that the difficulty of changing plates on the road is entirely surmounted. Such a camera, fitted with a Ross lens, twenty 5 by 4 plates, a magnifying glass for focussing, a view-meter, and an instantaneous shutter, weighs less than five pounds ; it does not necessitate the head being covered while focussing; it permits the image being viewed through the iconometer at the top of the cameras, and focussed perfectly sharp by means of the magnifying glass. Patents are being taken out for the above articles; in the meantime, however, they are being made in quantity at the new Russian Manufactory of Photographic Appa ratus in Moscow. The same evening, Mr. Degoe, photographer toH. I. M. Horse-breeding Establishments, exhibited his improved Sciopticon Lamp. It is simply a piece of }in, brass tubing soldered at one end, with a very fine slit made along it corresponding in length to the width of the lamp wick commencing at the closed end. This tube is soldered to the lamp in such a position that the slit comes exactly in the middle and under the two wicks, the other end protruding a little over the back of the lamp, so that it can be connected with suitable tubing to a bag of oxygen gas under pressure. The chimney of the Sciopticon must be made to draw out a little higher than usual, so as to ensure a good draught; and the best rock oil (paraffin) used in the lamp, so as to ensure perfect immunity from danger. Mr. Degoe said that he had used this light for enlargements and demonstrations in different parts of the Empire for over five years, without any mishap whatever. H. I. M. has just conferred the order of St Anne, third class, upon Mr. G. Scamoni, Superintendent of the Helio-engraving Section of the Russian State Paper Department, C. T. C. FROM DEPTFORD TO WEST MOULSEY DIRECT. Being the Account of an Aerial Trip in the Balloon "Sun beam ” on Whit Tuesday last. BY CECIL V. SHADBOLT. “ I don’t think I shall put in an appearance quite so early to-morrow,” were almost my parting words to Mr. William Dale on the evening of Whit Monday, after a glorious voyage and safe descent at Brentwood, in Essex; and ac cordingly it was getting on for half-past five o'clock on the following afternoon when I entered the gates of Sayes Court Grounds, at Deptford, to find the above-mentioned gentleman busy over the inflation of the “ Sunbeam,” a fine new balloon of elegant shape, and made of very light material, each gore being no less than seventy feet in length. The inflation having been completed, at about 6-15 p.m. we took our places in the car, a commodious basket five feet long, three feet wide, and about three feet deep. “ Try the balance,” said Mr. Dale, “Does she lift?” “Yes, too light.” “ In with another bag of ballast—how now ? ” “ Still light! ” “ Here, empty out half of that other bag, and give me in the remainder. That’s beautiful, steady now—let go ! ” How I delight to hear these two last words! They tell of coming calm after the storm, and are no sooner uttered than a dozen strong hands are released from the car, and in a few moments we have the satisfaction of seeing the noisy crowd—which had been pressing around on all sides —gradually recede to a more respectable distance as the “ Sunbeam ” rises majestically into the air. The musical strains of “ Up in a Balloon, Boys,” become more and more faint as we are borne aloft, and soon we are far above the bustle and clamour of the busy scene beneath, gratified to feel that neither letters nor telegrams, however urgent, can now disturb our meditations, as from our high perch we gaze with enchantment upon the vast extent of landscape which presents itself to our view in all directions. Some 1,500 feet below lies a marvellous network of railways such as I have never witnessed on any previous occasion. One gets quite bewildered in the vain attempt to trace them ; and the fact that each has its own particular mission to fulfil, and that the little moving objects which appear like caterpillars slowly threading their way hither and thither in various directions along their courses are, in reality, trains freighted with human lives as valuable as our own, is one difficult to realize. But our course lies upwards and onwards, and as we pass over Dulwich, frequent consulta tions of the barometer reveal to us the fact that we are steadily balanced in space at an altitude of 2,100 feet, about the highest attained on this journey. The “ Sunbeam ” is certainly behaving admirably, very differently to what she had done ten days previously, when on her first voyage she carried us rapidly into the clouds, then through them into the sunshine above to a height of 7,450 feet, and having half suffocated us with gas, descended with a speed which necessitated our parting with all the ballast we had in the car in order to check her downward course. However, circumstances are different now, and here we are, a crew of four all told—Messrs. W. Jaggers and H. Burney, who are making their first ascent to the upper regions on this occasion, Mr. Dale and myself—en joying the scenery with comfort and ease from a more convenient elevation. How beautifully the towers of the Crystal Palace stand out down there in the lovely blue haze which hangs over the landscape! But we cannot linger; our course as shown by the compass is S.S.W., and we soon find our selves over Wimbledon Common. Shortly afterwards, the river Thames comes into sight, which, after consulting the map and taking our bearings, 1 give my fellow-travellers to understand we are about to cross straight over Kings ton, and as we are going direct for Moulsey, we shall just nicely have a station to return from if we make that place our landing-point. Mr, Dale agrees, and brings the