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April 3, 1868.] THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. 167 much better done in two minutes by photography. He also thought that no faith was to bo placed in drawings ; he had compared an engraving of Sardis, which was in his possession, with ono of Svaboda’s pictures of the same subject, but could trace no resemblance between the two. He concluded by thank ing Mr. Henderson for the trouble he had taken in collecting matter for his paper. Mr. HENDERSON said that whatever trouble ho had taken had been a pleasure to him ; for ho had been led into very pleasant correspondence and instructive reading. Mr. Newton made some remarks bearing upon the use of photography in copying old pictures and other works of art, the series just introduced showing the complete success which might bo attained. Mr. Forrest then read a paper on “ The Satchel Camera,” and exhibited his camera and stand, the latter of which re received the greater share of attention. It is constructed upon the tube principle, and packs up in the form of an umbrella. Mr. Forrest pointed out that his dark slides were painted yellow inside, and this he stated he had found to completely stop blurring. Some discussion took place on this point, the unanimous opinion being, that painting the back of the plate is the only way of effectually staying the evil. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Forrest, who had gone to a great deal of trouble and expense in obtaining from London ono of Monckhoven’s enlarging cameras, which, un fortunately, was not put to any practical use. Mr. Hughes passed round two negatives on plates prepared by the Liverpool Dry Plate Company, which had been developed nearly three months after exposure, which, though taken during December, possessed so much delicacy and half-tone as to rival any process, wet or dry. The Rev. T. B. Banner said he had been using some of the same plates for portraits. He had exposed one plate one minute, and obtained a beautiful negative, and another exposed two minutes was ruined by over-exposure. The plates wore not new, but were some that he bought last year. Mr. Henderson stated that ho had seen a collection of photographs taken before the gold toning had come into use, and though the majority of the prints were quite faded, some still remained perfect, showing that it is possible to prevent even a sulphur-toned print from fading. Mr. Green’s prize photograph was awarded to Mr. W. H. Wilson. Mr. Hughes and Mr. Higgin exhibited somo enlargements from microscopic objects, which were considered very good indeed. The meeting adjourned rather later than usual. Currespondence. PHOTOGRAPHY AND DISEASE. Dear Sir,—I feel grateful for the opportunity you have given your readers ami correspondents to discuss in your columns the question, “ Is photography inimical to health?” And, as we may expect your own judicious and careful summing up on the facts elicited, I trust a true answer may bo obtained. I quite agree with Mr. Hall, in your last number, that a perfect solution could best bo obtained by comparison of the general photographic experience ; but then nothing short of a special census would avail, and of this I fear there is no hope. For my own part, I am inclined to think that the worry and tension of mind usually inseparable from professional work have more to do with the deficiency of health often found amongst photographers than the effluvia of the dark-room. Add to this the uncertain hours and irregular strain of work and variable times for meals, and you hive a condition of things that in any other calling would bo considered almost un bearable. Looking round (mentally) on my acquaintances in the pro fession, I do not think I could point to one who is “ the picture of health,”as I might amongst (say) the grocers of my town, and I think it is more this below-par condition that is preva lent than decided ill health, though that is not very rare, I believe. Mon of science, and those engaged in any brain work, do not, I am aware, stand a chance of keeping up the physique like him “who feeds fat oxen,”; a fact which proves that nature’s golden mean of mental and bodily labour cannot be transgressed without loss; but in most other walks of life there are more numerous times and hours of relaxation than, as a rule, fall to the photographer's lot; and hence the mind and body, from running incessantly in one groove, show signs of wear and tear at length. The public, too, are scarcely so considerate as might be desired, and often press for sittings at holiday times (when “ decked in all their best ” no addi tional time or trouble is needed for a separate dressing), and the good-natured photographer seldom holds out against the importunities of his customers supported by the claims of his purse. Perhaps, also, the unfair competition, which often has to be met by extra diligence and unswerving care, aids the ‘ pressure from other quarters ; but this, fortunately, is waning, and for those who have weathered both the storms of prosperity and adversity there seems a prospect of something like halcyon days. Probably one result—and not the least—of the various com munications you have received on this topic, will be, that photographers will, as much as possible, avoid all injurious contact with their chemicals, and believe in the wisdom of giving that useful servant, the body, its due, by air, exercise, and rest—things that in these “ express ” days are apt to be forgotten.—I am, dear sir, yours truly, R. H. P. PS.—I have just been informed that one of the cleverest photographers in Clifton (Mr. Beattie) has had to resign his business from ill-health, it is thought, photographically in duced. Ualk XU the Studio. The Science of the Sunbeam.—Mr. Jabez Hughes recently delivered the closing lecture of the season at the Isle of Wight Philosophical Society, his subject being the Science of the Sun beam. Our space precludes the printing here of even an analysis of a most eloquent lecture, which was, we understand, one of the most successful and brilliant delivered during the session. Photographic Souvenir of Tasmania.—In the midst of the public demonstrations in honour of the visit of H.R.H. Prince Alfred, Duke of Devonshire, to Tasmania, photography playedits part. At a farewell banquet the Prince was pre sented with an album of photographs of Tasmanian scenery, which had been under the directions of the Preparation Com mittee, for presentation to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, from the colonists, as a memorial of his visit to Tasmania in H.M.S. Galatea. The album was a most beautiful and costly volume of improved size, bound in crimson morocco, gilt, and orna mented in an elaborate and tasteful manner. It contains 83 photographs illustrative of the scenery of Tasmania, 48 por traits of children born in the colony, and 9 plates immediately connected with the Prince’s visit. The title-page was drawn by Mr. Alfred Randall, and illustrated by Mr. W. C. Piguenit. H.R.H. was pleased to request that the Preparation Committee would furnish him with duplicate copies of all the pictures for the illustration of a work which H.R.H. is preparing in con nection with his visit to the Australasian Colonies. A Hint as to Labelling Negatives.—A correspondent sends us the following useful hints :“ In putting away my negatives, at the back and at one end of each a slip of albumin ized paper, about one-third of an inch wide, is stuck on ; upon this the No. of negative, and S. or R., according to which paper suits the quality of negative (Saxe or Rive), and D. if (as somo subjects, I find, need) deeper printing than ordinary is required. By this means, on taking a negative out of the box to print from, it tells its own tale, and produces the same results as the first proofs. I was led to do this from the fact I had had brought under my notice, that after the first order sent to a photographer, the prints were rarely up to the mark in subse quent orders.” South London Exhibition Meeting.—Members are re minded that the meeting of the Society to be held on Thurs day evening, the 9th instant, is to be devoted to examination of, and conversation on, photographs, which members are invited to contribute for the occasion,’