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March 6, 1891.] THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. 187 proposes that, under certain circumstances, prisoners shall he photographed before conviction. This clause is likely to raise up much opposition from those peculiarly constituted persons who are so fond of championing rascality. While the authorities are considering this matter, it would be as well if they also paid some attention to another important point in criminal photography. We allude to the necessity for photographing a man’s hands as well as his face for purposes of identification. It is well known that, while faces are so often alike that one man may be readily mistaken for another, the lines on no two hands agree. How often has the novelist relied for identification upon the impression of a dirty thumb mark ; and the novelist is right. A good photograph would not only show these surface marks, but would detect other peculiarities of structure, and modifications caused by labour and work at different trades. Will not some member call attention to this important matter when the Bill comes on for discussion ? California is the favoured spot for the construction of observatories. In addition to the Lick Observatory, there are no less than five others constructed, or in process of construction. Prof. Pickering contemplates building one to contain the great photographic telescope of 24 in. diameter, the cost of which was defrayed by Miss Bruce, of New York. The instrument of Mrs. Procter will be somewhat similar to the portrait lens combination used by Professor Barnard when taking the photographs of the Milky Way, published in the July number of Knowledge, but will give pictures on four times the scale of Professor Barnard’s photographs. The short focus of such a combination, as compared with an ordinary observing telescope, will enable fainter objects and larger outlying regions of nebulae to register themselves on the sensitive plates than can be photo graphed with the telescopes which will be used for the international photographic survey of the heavens, or even with Mr. Isaac Roberts’ reflector. As we suggested a fortnight ago, the forthcoming Spectaele Exhibition has had its original scope extended, so that the collection will now comprehend optical instruments of every kind. Indeed, one of the speakers at a special court of the Spectacle Makers’ Company, held last week, foreshadowed a rather liberal view of the matter, and it is possible that the schedule may contain certain instruments which cannot be said to be strictly comprehended as exemplifying the optician’s art. We believe that the Exhibition is not to be what is called a competitive one. There will be no prizes, and foreign firms, it is stated, will not be invited to ex hibit, though importers who trade with England may be accorded the privilege of being allowed to take part. We are afraid this distinction will be the cause of a little heartburning, and perhaps the matter may be considered once more. Surely English manufacturers would like to see what their Continental rivals are doing. It is said that foreign competition has, of late years, affected the English optician. How the matter is to be mended by excluding foreign productions from the Exhibition we do not quite see. It is gratifying to note that the Astronomer-Royal accepted the invi tation to be present at the meeting mentioned, and made a very practical speech on the subject. Already M. Lippmann’s discovery has sounded a note—a feeble one, it is true—of alarm on the part of a contemporary, representing the printing trade. If the news is true, remarks the journal in question, though it has nothing, of course, with the interests of true art, there is a section of our artists who may be moved to strike. Those whose art consists in the nearest approximation possible to the coloured photo graph may kick, as the workmen kicked at the introduction of machinery. At the present moment we are inclined to think that lithographers may calmly rest at nights. There is nothing existing in M. Lippmann’s discovery to disturb their peace of mind. The retoucher’s art has invaded the dark room. M. H. Foutier describes a process of chemical retouching which may be used during development. Its object is to delay the intensification of certain parts, such as the skies or the high lights. When these appear before there is any detail in the shadows, the development must be stopped and the plate washed quickly. It is then drained, and the high lights are touched with a brush dipped in the following solu tion :—Bromide of potassium, 4 grammes; citrate of potash, 2 grammes; water, 100 c.c. The development is then proceeded with in the usual manner, and as there is a cessation of action in the parts so treated, the development may be pushed without fear in order to obtain the details in the shadows. The Blackpool Times has lately shown what it can do in the way of utilising photography. There was a terrific storm at that northern watering-place sometime ago, and great damage resulted. During the gale photo graphs were taken of the sea-front at the moment when huge waves were breaking upon it, threatening to demolish the houses and buildings. These photos were made into excellent Meisenbach blocks, and printed, with a letterpress description of the calamity, on a separate sheet. Human nature is very much alike. Whether in England or in America, men have a dislike to being photographed. An attempt has been made by the Shoe and Leather Gazette, of St. Louis, to obtain the pho tographs of the shoe and leather salesmen of the Western cities generally, and the editor complains that the response to the call for photographs was so slow that the original intention had to be reluctantly abandoned, and the Gazette had to be contented with furnishing a score or so.
