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the early and immature days of the art-science, its technical improvement was of all importance, now that it has acquired a specific excellence, and has passed into a recognized pro fession or art industry, new interests require consideration. The welfare of a community depending for livelihood on the practice of the art becomes of primary importance, and if that welfare can be promoted by an association which shall secure consentaneous action in elevating the art, stimulating its progress, and advancing the interests of all connected therewith, surely it is worth consideration, dis cussion, and action. We throw out the hint, and leave it with our readers. WASHED AND FUMED SENSITIVE PAPER. The practice of fuming sensitive paper has never obtained general favour amongst photographers in this country, whilst it is almost universal in America. That the plan possessed great value has been repeatedly demonstrated, richer prints being obtained on paper excited on a very weak nitrate bath by the aid of ammonia fuming than could be secured with a very strong bath without such fuming. Mr. Penny, of Cheltenham, some years ago called the attention of the Photographic Society to this fact, and sent some excellent prints in illustration. A little less than two years ago a permanent sensitive albuminized paper, described as carbon ate of silver paper, was introduced to photographers. This paper was comparatively insensitive, and kept perfectly good for an indefinite period, but, after fuming, it printed rapidly, and gave a fine rich print. We suggested at the time that this was paper prepared on an ordinary nitrate bath, and washed in water containing a carbonate, as we found paper so treated behaved in a similar manner; and also that the Cairier permanent paper gained in vigour and sensitiveness when fumed with ammonia. About the end of last year M. Baden, of Altona, in a brief but interesting article in the Archiv, described his practice of washing his excited paper—of which a large stock was prepared at once—and fuming when required for use, a plan which in his hands answered perfectly. A subsequent article in the same journal entered into more detail, and claimed an absolute superiority for the washed paper, not simply in convenience, but in result. The advantages— besides that of keeping the paper without discolouration— are, that it is more sensitive, tones more rapidly, requires less gold, and gives better and more uniform results than the unwashed paper with its excess of free nitrate of silver. So far as experimental verification of the principle is con cerned, we satisfied ourselves at the time of the soundness of this position ; but we have just received very important practical confirmation from Col. Stuart Wortley, who has lately employed this method extensively in the production of large prints. He says : “ I do not hesitate to state that this is by far the most important modification that has been proposed since I first photographed, and we are much in debted to the German gentleman who first published the process. It is absolutely certain: a waste, mealy, or bad print is unknown to me since I have worked it. It prints any kind of negative in perfection, and is simply invalu able.” Col. Wortley has sent us a batch of thirty large prints, from one day’s work, as an illustration of the re sults obtained, and they fully bear out his high encomiums. They are, he states, from all kinds of negatives, some re quiring an exposure of three hours, whilst others are done in fifteen minutes; but he finds that in all cases the prints are absolutely perfect. It is easy, he observes, with almost any method to get one good print; but here, in thirty consecutive prints, containing portraiture and landscapes, instantaneous and other pictures, is the evidence which practical men desire, before they accept a position as proven, in relation to any new operation in photography. The subject is so important, the advantages to be gained so palpable and desirable, that it simply requires a state ment of the facts, and of the evidence upon which the state ment is based, to secure eager attention to this subject. In the warm and moist atmosphere which so often obtains during English summers, the patience of the printer is severely tasked by the paper turning yellow or discolouring in greater or less degree. A means of avoiding this is surely one of the greatest boons possible. But here this boon is offered in conjunction with other advantages, in the shape of increased convenience, economy, and uniformity. The additional labour is slight: the paper, after exciting, is floated on one or two other baths of water to wash the free nitrate from its surface, and is then dried as usual. If kept carefully excluded from the air it will remain without change for some time, and without especial care in keeping it will remain unchanged for some days. It must then be fumed before use with ammonia, and the pads at the back may also be fumed. A good plan with paper in regular use is to prepare sufficient for a few days’ consumption, and keep it in a box with a perforated bottom, underneath which is a drawer containing carbonate of ammonia, or a dish with .liquid ammonia. It should be remembered that the print ing and toning are both a little more rapid, otherwise prints maybe lost by over-printing and toning at the outset. We shall be glad to learn the experience of our readers who may adopt this method of printing. FINE ART EXHIBITION AT CARDIFF. An exhibition of works of industry and fine art is announced to be held in Cardiff, to be opened on the sixteenth of August next, and close in the middle of the following month. For various reasons we have pleasure in directing the especial attention of our readers to this exhibition, and asking those who are able to aid in securing a worthy re presentation of the art. It is to be held under very trust worthy auspices ; it will be liberally managed ; there will be five thousand feet of wall-space devoted to pictures and photographs; and photographs are placedin their legiti mate position as works of art in the class devoted to “ paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculpture.” It is announced that the carriage of the works of all who receive a circular inviting them to contribute will be paid to and from the exhibition ; those of our readers, therefore, who are willing to contribute should first communicate with the secretary to secure proper arrangements. We extract the following conditions from the published announcement;— The last day for receiving contributions will bo Saturday, 6th August. The committee will pay the camage of all works to and from the residence of the artist to whom this circular is sent. Messrs. Green and Co., of Charles Street, Middlesex Hospital, will collect and pack pictures of metropolitan artists for this exhibi tion. All other pictures must be sent direct. All works contributed (except architectural drawings) must be in gilt frames, and must have the name and address of the artist, tho subject of the picture, and the number, if more than one, con spicuously marked on the back. A note must also be addressed to the Honorary Secretary, containing a list of the contributions, with their description, for tho catalogue, and the price (including frame) if for sale. Any work of art sent without a statement of price will be considered as not for sale, and will be so marked. A commission of five per cent, will be deducted from the catalogue price of any work sold while in possession of the committee. Pic tures being sold through private agency will not exempt the exhi bitor from payment of the commission. Tho committee will take every possible care of the works entrusted to them, but will not be responsible for any injury they may acci dentally sustain while in their custody, or in their transit to and from the exhibition. Cardiff, June, 1870. E. Payne, Hon. Sec. ECHOES OF THE MONTH. BY an old photographer. Double Salts of Iodine and Bromine—Prices of Patented Articles—The PRETSCI Controversy—The ALBERTTYPE Specimen—Societies. I was much interested in reading the paper by Dr. Van Monckhoven on double salts of iodine and bromine soluble