Volltext Seite (XML)
484 THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. [August 3, 1883. is that the traveller’s store of tea and meat extract are employed to the best advantage, half a teaspoonful of the latter in a plate of soup—as hot water with a little rice or fragments of potatoe floating in it is usually termed about here—working a wondrous change for the better. A strange incident happened to us near Trafoi. Turning a corner of the road, we beheld, perched upon high, a little camera of shining mahogany. A brother of the craft was near at hand, evidently ; but where was he ? We ran up the bank, and looked round ; not a soul appeared. On the little well-built instrument was a neat ivory tablet with the well-known name of Meagher. Ah, ah! a Briton, evidently; and what more likely than our friend William England ? Whereupon, standing over the little camera, we set up shouting long and loud, making the big lonely valley resound with Anglo-Saxon calls. We paused, and as there came no answer, we shouted and holload again and again. Presently, looking around, during an interval of breathing, we beheld, what we had not before observed, the figures of two gentlemen, sitting close at hand under a bush, wait ing with some curiosity, evidently, to see what the intruder meant to do with their property. Of course we explained, as far as we could, the situa tion ; but the proprietors of the camera—they were Italian, albeit the owners of English apparatus—did not quite take to heart the hurried and imperfect words we uttered. It was their idea, evidently, that we intended appropriating the camera as treasure trove, and that we were shouting to our fellows to come and look at the discovered property. Our apologies were received with some curtness, and we retired from the scene scarcely so happy as we had entered upon it. A delightful little picture is to be seen now we have entered the lower part of the valley. We have passed the solid fortress of the Austrians, built with its embrazures and loop-holes at the narrowest portion of the defile, where cannon posted right and left command the road for miles, and, entering the more pastoral portion of the vale, have come upon a green paradise. The lofty green hills on either side are covered with rich grass and luxuriant crops, and perched high above us on the left is the little village of Stilfs or Stelvio, whence the pass derives its name. You must secure a picture of this interesting spot, the tiny white cottages attached like fungi to the steep green slope, and reminding you more of swallows’ nests than anything else. You are now well hidden from the fortress and its sentinels, so you need not fear to produce the camera once more. Of course, it is the Italian who is the natural enemy of the Austrian hereabouts, and it is unlikely you will be mistaken for a member of the former nationality. Indeed, as we have said before in these columns, the tourist photographer is rarely interfered with. In the Finstermiinz Valley we were once warned by a sentry not to sketch—he meant sketching with the camera, for we had no other means at hand—and on the Simplon Pass we have had to turn out our photographic paraphernalia by the Italian guard. But beyond this we have never been molested; Britons have a reputation for eccentricity abroad, and it would astonish no one if you travelled with a photographic dark-room on wheels. In truth, it would make a very enjoyable tour—rather expensive, perhaps—to charter a travelling carriage, and secure, in an easy-going fashion, photographs of large dimensions of the passes and quaint village scenes to be met with en route through the Italian and Austrian Tyrol. A roomy vehicle would take everything necessary to do the work comfortably and well, and plates might be ex posed, developed, examined and packed up without trouble. It is always nice to look forward to a pleasure ; towards this, there is every possibility of our looking forward for some time. Passing Stilfs, the valley soon afterwards divides, one route going northwards over the Finstermiinz Pass, and the other leading east to Meran and the Brenner. We follow that to Finstermiinz over the Malser Haide—a broad stretch of heather—whence some wonderful views of the snow mountains may be obtained. Stadt Glurns must not be forgotten by the photographer when he passes it. The little town, is very proud of its existence, for every notice and warning has the heading “ Town Glurns ; ” nay, as you pass within its walls—for it is an old fortified township—there is a label “ Town Glurns ” over the gateway. The place is like a relic of the middle ages. It lies somewhat off the main route, and as you look across to it, the high walls seem to environ the houses on all sides. There is not a habitation outside in the cold; all are gathered together snug and comfortable within the battlements, and not until you have passed the heavy portal do you get among the densely-built houses. You may imagine an armed host sallyirg forth from the town gates to do battle with a hostile force intent on securing the Pass, and, in case of misfortune, hurrying back to the shelter of the walls that rise grim and bare from the plain. They would have been very serviceable in days gone by, those thick high walls ; but they have their dis advantages now ; for while they are useless against modern artillery, they necessarily hamper any improvements to the town, the buildings and population of which get denser every day. Some of the old streets and quaint buildings, all of them centuries old, as well as the ancient churchyard —also within the walls— make good pictures in the camera. You may pay a visit to the Oetzthal Glacier—the biggest in the Tyrol—on your way to the fine Finstermiinz Pass, but these far-stretching snow-fields are important enough for a separate description ; so in our next paper we shall tell how we carried a camera over the Nieder Joch of the Oetzthal into the Schnalser Thal. NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE AND NORTHERN COUNTIES’ PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION. The exhibition of this Society for 1883, which will be held in the Central Exchange Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in November, will be inaugurated by a conversazione, and remain open daily (Sundays excepted) from 10 a.m. till 9 p.m. The following are among the regulations :— All pictures for exhibition must be sent carriage paid, addressed to “ The Hon. Secretary, Neweastle-on-Tyne and Northern Counties’ Photographic Association, care of Messrs. Barkas and Tweedy, Central Exchange Art Gallery, Newcastle- on-Tyne,” so as to arrive not later than the 20th of November; no picture will be received after 9 o’clock p.m. on that date. Each exhibitor must send a letter of advice to the Hon. Secretary, containing a description of each picture, statement f process, and any further detail. Pictures or frames may have the exhibitor’s name and subject neatly inscribed, or name and address if desired ; but nothing in the shape of an advertisement will be permitted. Photographic prints, coloured by hand, will not be admitted for competition, but may be sent for exhibition. Photographic apparatus and appliances may be sent for exhibi tion, also negatives and transparencies properly mounted, at exhibitor’s own risk. The Hanging Committee may reject any picture or apparatus. Medals will be given as follows :— A silver for the best set of three sea or landscapes, interior or architectural views ; a medal for the second, and three certificates of honour; a silver and certificates for the best single land or seascape, architectural subject, or interior; also, a silver and certificates for the best figure study. These all restricted to members of the Association. For open competition, a gold medal for the best picture in the exhibition, and a silver medal for the second ; and a silver medal for the best figure study, and for the second. The original work of the exhibitor only allowed to compete. There will be no restriction as to the size of the picture or pictures. Exhibitors and competitors may exhibit a single picture or any number of pictures. The pictures must be mounted and framed. The judges selected are :—Col. P. 8. Sheppee Chester-Ie