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276 THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. [June 4, 1880. which great density was attained. On the conclusion of lunch Mr. Daniel said that he felt sure what he was about to say would meet with universal approbation; he had told the mem bers at the last meeting how greatly they would enjoy the beauties of the valley, and he knew one and all had done so up to the pre sent far beyond their expectations. The whole of this, the hospital spread they had just sat down to, and every single item of the day’s enjoyment, was afforded them through the great kindness of their friend Mr. Hare, and he knew he should be simply acting as their spokesman in cordially and without cere mony proposing a most hearty vote of thanks to him for his hospitality and thoughtful efforts to make the day so enjoyable. Mr. T. DAVEY said it was with the greatest pleasure that he seconded Mr. Daniel’s proposition. As far as he was concerned, he had experienced the utmost pleasure in the whole day’s pro ceedings, and it was a day that would live a long time in his memory on account of its perfect enjoyment. He was very glad to have the opportunity of seconding the vote of thanks to their host for so kindly entertaining them. As the curls of fragrant smoke ascended from the various forms of weed, on the conclusion of lunch, a move was again made, and the stroll being resumed a great many more plates were exposed, exclamations at the universal beauty of the district being very frequent. Time and tide wait no man, and trains not very often, so that as six o’clock approached a return to Mr. Hare’s residence was made, where he once more set his friends to work in sustaining their inner man, after which, with mutual good wishes as to the results of the plates, the drive to Frome was commenced, and as a shower of adieus left the break, a curve in the road hid from view the kind friend who had arranged a day of pleasure which all regretted had passed so quickly. Every member present worked, the sizes ranging from 4} by 34 to 10 by 8, and a large number of plates were exposed. The return railway journey was pleasantly made, anecdotes, discus sions, and the fragrant weed pleasantly whiling the time. Mi in tge Studio. Photographic Society of Great Britain.—The last meeting of this Society for the present session will take place at the Gallery, 5, Pall Mall East, on Tuesday next, June 8th, when papers will be read by Captain Abney, R.E., F.R.S., on “Aids in the Working of the Gelatino-Bromide Process,” and by T. Bolas, F.O.S., on “ The Reproduction of Negatives in a Reversed Direction by the Inverse Action of Light on Gelatine Plates; ” also the adjourned discussion on “ Instantaneous Shutters” will be resumed, and an opportunity given for the exhibition of any other new ones. Obituary.—By the death of Mr. W. W. Stoddart, the President of the Bristol and West of England Amateur Photo graphic Association, scientific men in general, and photographers in particular, lose a staunch and worthy comrade. His reputa tion in Bristol may be gathered by the prominent position he was called upon to occupy, while as the city and county ana lyst his name was a household word throughout the west country. Mr. Stoddart was a Fellow of the Chemical and Geological Societies, an indefatigable worker, and a sound chemist ; indeed, his attainments and industry seem to be res ponsible in a measure for his somewhat sudden death, for besides his laboratory work at Bristol, his at tendance and evidence were frequently called for in every corner of the county. " I have only had one evening at home in two months,” he said to a friend shortly before his death—the plain tive speech, surely, of an over-worked man. But it is the Society of which he was president that will feel the loss most keenly of his kindly and unassuming presence, his generous sympathy, and his hearty encouragement. As one of the members says of him very truly : “ As a Society we have lost a true friend and a great teacher, and noble undertakings and institutions have been deprived of an energetie helper.” Uo AU Communications connected with Advertisements and business to be addressed to Messrs. PrER and Carter, “ Photographic News" Office, 5, Castle Street, Nolborn, P.C. Advertisers are requested to make all Cheques payable to Messrs. Piper and Carter, and crossed " Cnion Bank, Photographic News Account," Oxalate.—The little picture you send is very perfect, the flue lines of the shipping, both far and near, and the tremour of the rippling water, being well pourtrayed ; we think you have already hit upon the proper period of exposure from this result. As to your problem, it is rather a difficult one. Do you wish to know what aperture of your diaphragm at a single drop would be equal to three successive drops of a diaphragm with three-quarters of an inch aperture ? The alteration of aperture would at once bring a difference of weight into the question, which w ould upset any theoretical calculation made upon this basis. But if yon always adopt the square or oblong aperture in the drop shutter, there would belittle difficulty in making a calculation, although, from the fact that you have no means of judging the actual intensity of the light at the time being, the only trustworthy criterion would be to take one or two trial plates. By modifying the developer, as you know, you have a good range open to you. F. P. F.—Your difficulty in colouring no doubt arises from the fact of the albumenized paper refusing to take the colours. By employing a sizing solution first of all, like that sold by Newman, of Soho Square, you will find matters much facilitated. The same firm sells a shilling handbook which will doubtless be of use to you. Our Publishers will write you. Ignoramus.—Captain Abney’s formula will make from five to six ounces when finished. No extra water should on any account be added. The amount will cover about a dozen and a half 7 by 5} plates. W. D.— See above. For other questions we will ask Mr. Eng land, if the above information is not sufficient. A Subscriber.—You cannot always rely upon the distilled water bought at the chemist’s, but being hot is no sign of its inferiority, since it is produced by condensing steam. Spirit is detrimental to the dipping bath. As your plan of doctoring turned out successful, it may well be commended; but, of course, we should have employed a spirit lamp. To remove your pinholes, add a few ounces of distiled water to your hath, filter, and then add silver to make up the solution to its proper strength again. A. Smith.—Add a few drops of ammonia, which will probably remedy the evil you complain of. We should certainly not recommend all Coignet gelatine; in fact, in warm weather, if used at all, it should be reduced to a minimum. Alpha.—Yes; it is a sign of traces of hydrochloric acid being present. W. L.—Certainly not; neutralize before you use it. Gordon.—Yes ; you may put in the chrome alum first. Pyro.—On the first of April of this year. We certainly never heard of anyone employing glycerine in the developer in this way before. Amateur’s First Shots.—Although an amateur who fires first shots, you evidently know something of lenses. You appear rather difficult to please, for the lenses you speak of have all of them a good reputation. We cannot in this column recommend one maker before another, and any of the five you mention would no doubt readily meet your wishes as far as they can be met. We should scarcely have thought that the first lens yon mention is too slow for gelatine plates. Try the opticians in the order you mention, or send for one of Morley’s catalogues. Amateur.—The bichloride may be used a second time, in many cases ; it is not, however, a very expensive salt. The Glasgow Photographic Association, which meets at 172, Buchanan Street, would no doubt be glad to enrol you. Write to the Secretary, Mr. A. Robertson, for particulars. Robt. Brown.—Silver plate is engraved a good deal by hand, but we cannot give you any precise informatio n. X.—Next week. T. H. Thompson.—Treat as you would ordinary gelatine, only of course in the dark. Placed upon an open fabric and kept not too warm and with plenty of air, it will soon dry; then cut it UP into fragments and pack properly. South Devon.—Our advice is “let well alone,’’ if you are so far satisfied. We should certainly hesitate to say all emulsions, and unless you have some knowledge of its preparation, or of the preservative to be employed, you run a risk. Ignoramus.—You must introduce the plate into the developer in the dark-room; so where would be the use of your non-actinic developer ? A sub ab initio.—1. You might try citric acid, but, unfortun ately, you have already deposited iron in the fabric. Washing with a sponge at the time would have been most effectual. 2. The solution is super-saturated; add a little more of yonr solvent. A. II. If.—Seo Photographic News for 16th April, which gives proportions for the Artotype process. If your ink adhere to the gelatine, the latter has not absorbed enough water. Ordinary lithographic ink may be employed, but it is best diluted. You can only got the right tint and consistence by experience. . A Beginner.—It is best to have your hyposulphite of soda solu tion strong.
