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January 3, 1868.] THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. 11 advantage to be derived from education in the principles of art would be to enable people to judge for themselves, and to free them from the dictation of self-elected critics, too often very incompetent to act as guides of public taste. They would then not feel bound to believe a thing to be good or bad simply because they had seen it so stated in print; but, having know ledge themselves, they would understand the true principles upon which to judge the works produced. He was glad that the wish to possess such knowledge appeared to bo a growing desire on the part of the public, and he hoped to assist those who favoured him with their presence to attain a knowledge of why some of the works of the great masters, particularly in sculpture, were truly beautiful, and worthy of the admiration that had been so universally accorded to them. (To be continued.) Gorrespondente. INDIA-RUBBER FOR MOUNTING. Siu,—I have been much surprised at the recent fuss made in some of the journals on the subject of mounting photo graphic prints with india-rubber, in your article last week you rightly state that its use for mounting is no novelty ; it has been used for many years, and if it had possessed any advantages for general purposes would long since have come into use. But the fact that, besides being very expensive, it eventually perishes, is tolerably well-known amongst old photographers. I have seen albums in which the prints, having been mounted by india-rubber, became all detached in a few years, the adhesive gum have changed into a dry, brown powder which crumbled under the finger. The best material I know for mounting prints on thin boards, without cockling, is glue, used with as little water as possible, and very hot. I always test glue for acidity before using it.—Yours, truly, An Old Hand. December 20, 1867. MAKING A BELLOWS CAMERA. Sin,—In answer to “ W. L. R.’s ” (Raepore) inquiry re specting the making of a bellows to a camera, let him make a hollow tube of some thin boards, just nailed toge- getker, the width, depth, and length he requires the bellows, procure some twill calico, sew it up the edge on the tube, take the calico off again, and reverse as you would a coat sleeve, and place on the tube again with the seam under neath the calico; cut some strips of cardboard, half or three-quarter inch, according to size of bellows, and a little shorter than the sides of the tube across, with the corners cut slantways, so as to make each piece a section of a pyramid. Then glue them on the calico which is on the tube, alternately, as you see the points in a bellows. I find it better to put one slip on at a time all round the tube than fill one side and turn round to another. When filled the whole length, either paste or glue another piece of calico over the slips and other calico; when dry, take off the tube, and, with the assistance of his fingers at the corners, he will find the bellows to fold up quite easy, as required. The first bellows I made I did without the box or tube to make it; but I find it much easier with it. I do not send this as the proper method, but as a way that will answer in practice. If you think the above of any service, insert what you think suitable ; if not, give it.to the printer’s d to light the fire.—I am, sir, one who is always willing to contribute his mite, A Country Bumpkin. Macclesfield, December 18,1867. Ualk in tbe Studia. Photography and Brigandage.—A comic opera recently introduced to the public, tho libretto of which is writton bv Mr. F. C. Burnand, revives the recollections of the seizure of Mr. Moens by the brigands. “ The Contrabandista”—the name of the piece—represents the doings of a set of ferocious Spanish brigands who have just lost their leader, and, in aceordance with one of their laws, the stranger who crosses their path must be elected captain, and marry the late captain’s widow. A luckless photographer, wandering in search of the picturesque, falls in with the brigands, and, to his horror, is required to give up the camera for the carbine, and his lenses for a lady. Much of the humour of the piece arises out of these incidents. The: piece is performed at the new “ St. George’s Opera House,” Langham Place, under tho superintendence of Mr. German Reed. Photographs in an Exhibition of Paintings. — The hedge of exclusion which has hitherto prevented the recog nition of photography as works of art appears to be breaking down. In the Exhibition of the works of female artists, which will open shortly, we understand that a large number of Mrs. Cameron’s photographs will be comprised. Cyanide again.—A lady poisoned herself in New York, a short time ago, by taking a dose of cyanide of potassium in mis - take for rhubarb. A physician was sent for, but before he arrived she died.—Philadelphia Photographer. A photographic amateur had occasion to use cyanide, and made a solution in the mug used in his bath-room, and out of which it was the custom of his children to go and drink when thirsty. Forgetting it, he left it standing full of the colourless poison, returning just in time to prevent his child from drinking it. Will people ever learn to be careful?—Ibid. Still another Application.—-A subscriber, who is also the leader of the choir in his church, needing duplicate copies of a certain hymn and the music, soon produced them by aid of his camera, and sends us a proof quite as good as the original. A first-rate idea. What next ?—Ibid. Another Cause of Spots in Prints.—Photographers are not unfrequently troubled with black and yellow spots appearing in card pictures which were not apparent before. The following cause is assigned by Mr. Fordos. and confirmed by M. Davanne: Sulphuret of tin is employed frequently in applying gilding to the cards, and particles of this left on the surface of the mount, on coining into contact with the print, will cause spots of sulphide of silver. Lectures on Light.—The “ Science of the Sunbeam ” was the title of a very able lecture recently delivered by Mr. Jabez Hughes, before the Isle of Wight Philosophical Society, which was illustrated by photographic experiments. We regret that we have not space at present for some eloquent passages we had marked. A lecture on a similar subject was delivered a few evenings ago before the Church of England Christian Young Men’s Association, by Mr. George Warrington. Photographic Conundrums. — We have received the following photographic conundrums as being, we presume, suited for a festive season. No correspondent’s name ac companies them, but the writer has appended the phrase, " made by our own idiot out of his own head.” Of tho idiotcy we leave our readers to judge, but we disclaim tho ownership : — “ What photograph should a young lady never give her intended?—A negative. But if he gets a negative, what should he do?—Take a little sigh an’hide (cyanide). What photographic prints are like the heir apparent ?—Tho Prints of Wales. When is a collector of customs like a photo grapher?—When he takes port-rates. • Why should a photo grapher use a rolling-press ?—To make his portraits flatter. What chemical is like a concealed donkey ?—An ass hid. The photographic pirates; what is their little game?—Cribbage. At whist, how do hope to win?—By tricks, and not by honours. What are their winning cards ?—Knaves. When is their little game up ?—When somebody plays the deuce with them.” U0 Uorrespondents. Mig.—In arranging blinds in such a room as that of which you send diagram, we should make those for the skylight slide with rings from side to side, so that you could have any lateral por tion you choose covered or uncovered. We should make tho blinds for side-light to slide in like manner, always, however,