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liquid is poured into a flat dish, and the glass plate to be coated is placed upon two strips of glass in such a manner that the liquid covers only the thickness of the plate. When the gilt surface has been produced, it is carefully rinsed with water, and placed in a sloping position against the wall upon blotting-paper, prepared side innermost; it is then allowed to dry in an atmosphere of ordinary temperature. The greater portion of the gold remains behind in the bath in the form of light flakes in suspension ; this is filtered off and heated, and may be again converted into chloride of gold. PICTORIAL EFFECT IN PHOTOGRAPHY ; BEING Lessons in Composition and Chiaroscuro for Photographers. BY H. P. ROBINSON. Chapter XXXVI. One of the most effectual means of impressing truths on a pupil’s mind is to reiterate them again and again from many points of view. It is for this reason that I have in- । troduced several illustrations showing how the pyramidal form—that of most use in figure composition—has been the ruling idea in the several artists’ minds in the construction of their groups, and how no group is allowed to exist with out a contrasting balance or support. These principles are further plainly illustrated in the wood-cut from Elmore’s fine picture of the " Invention of the Stocking Loom.” The fault of the picture, in the eyes of some critics, is that the subject is not sufficiently evident, but requires explanation. This, in my opinion, is a very small matter, although it certainly is an advantage when a picture explains itself, and does not necessitate any reference to a catalogue. If 1 went into a description of the details of the composition I should only be repeating what I have said of other groups; I will therefore pass to an extension of the same principles in a more complicated subject. Everybody knows West’s great picture of the “Death of General Wolfe; ” I have therefore not thought it necessary to occupy space with a large illustration of it, but content my self with a diagram of the leading lines, which will bring its various parts to the recollection of the student. This picture is a very perfect example of a hollow group, or circular composition, so called from the figures and objects forming it being placed nearly on the circumference of a circle, and which arrangement is applicable to the highest works of art, from its simplicity and extensive sweep, and to the lowest, from its being finely adapted for the pur poses of light and shade. Mr. Lake Price has carefully analysed this picture in his lessons on composition in the early volumes of the PaOToGRaPMIC News, and as the volume containing it has become scarce, I cannot do better than avail myself of his analysis of the composition. “ We observe the stricken hero prostrate in the centre of the picture, the sympathy of his officers and soldiers in the fall of their general being well expressed. The ‘ red man,’ hard of nerve himself, looks on with interest to see the re signation of the white chief to his fate ; whilst the cry from the battle-field, ‘ They run! they run!’ is perfectly given by the panting figures on their right, and the more episodal one in the distance. The arms of the pointing figures cross each other, thus composing. The animated figure of the trapper or huntsman is most necessary, and gives the foil and sentiment to the still repose of the group immediately round the dying man. The grenadier, standing rather apart, judiciously separates the grouping, and prevents it being monotonous and crowded. The colours and their straight staff carry up and break the top line of the composition, and give value to the action. The advancing figure is pre vented over*balancing by the crouching Indian beneath,
