PREFACE. art culture, whatever of economic development, can affect the progress of the art and the welfare of the artist, shall receive in our pages the fullest record and exposition. The mere chronicle of the varied events which constitute the history of an art is worth preserving ; but where such chronicle can be often made the means of initiating improvement and giving impetus to progress, it is a work of vital importance. To aid us in prosecuting this work we gladly gain all available aid. Our staff of regular and. occasional contributors already includes some of the most able and distinguished exponents of the artistic, scientific, experimental, and practical branches of the art; and we invite the aid of all who, by statement or suggestion, may be able to add to the interest and value of our pages. To the wide circle of correspondents whose experiences, hints, and expressions of opinion have aided us in the past, we here tender our thanks, and express our hope that we shall still continue to receive these aids to progress in our pages. Personally, we can but renew past pledges. Wherein we have had the good fortune to win approbation in the past, we shad not, we think, be disqualified by garnered experience for continuing in well-doing ; and we scarcely need add that we shall still less be disqualified by any lack of earnest resolve and good-will in relation to our duties. Without multiplying word-pledges, we simply say that we shall endeavour to be worthy of the trust we have so bounti fully received during the issue of the eleven volumes of the Photographic News, issued under our personal charge. With thanks to our staff, contributors, corres pondents, and readers—which list includes the mass of the photographic community throughout the world—we wish for all a happy md prosperous New Year. January 2, 1871.