Volltext Seite (XML)
THE PHOTQGRAPHIC NEWS. [OcOBER 29, 1880. remarks M. Breguet adverted to the fact that a dis tinguished French savant, M. Charles Cros, who had foreshadowed photography in natural colours, and the phonograph, had also indicated the principle of what Mr. Bell’s photophone is to-day the exponent. In a work of M. Cros, printed in 1879, but written in 1871, the author expressed a theory that, by introducing a ray of light into a tube, and interrupting it so as to make the in troductions and interruptions correspond to the number of vibrations of which the note given out by the tube con sisted, a sound would result. The Academy decided that the passage in M. Gros’s book referred to should be printed as a note, and appended to the description of the photophone, which would appear in the next number of the Comptes R£ndus,\>vA added that it in no way detracted from the merit of Professor Bell’s discovery. It is a great compliment to the Professor that the learned assembly before whom the apparatus was exhibited broke through their rule of dignified silence, and warmly applauded the experiment. " UP IN A BALLOON.” BY W. COBB. The day was declining, the sun had ceased shining, ’Twas the end of October, bleak, hazy, and chill. None but an enthusiastic photographer can imagine my feelings when, after being appointed to accompany the veteran aereonaut Mr. Wright, on the occasion of the late International Balloon Contest, for the purpose of taking photographs, I found myself encircled by a heavy chain of adverse circumstances. It seemed as if old Sol had determined npon being more than usually tantalising on this particular occasion, for the approving smile with which he had inspired my confidence during the greater part of the day was, just when most urgently needed, exchanged for a withering frown which certainly had the effect of blighting the hopes he had previously engendered. Besides, the nature of the arrangements were such as to render it somewhat uncertain, until the very last moment had arrived, whether or not I should accompany the expedition. Here was the source of another element of uncertainty, which militated against the success of my part of the day’s programme, inasmuch as it precluded the possibility of placing the apparatus in a suitable position prior to the ascent, The representative of the press who accompanied us, evidently read my thoughts aright when he refers, in his report, to the peculiar position I was placed in as a photographer. His remarks, however, were somewhat premature, when he stated that such and such an exposure resulted only in the pro duction of a very indifterent photograph ; unless ho was gifted with the power of taking a peep into futurity, it is difficult to imagine how he could have arrived at such a conclusion. Very seldom indeed do I find an advantage in being below the ordinary stature of Englishmen, but for once, and probably only this once in my life, I had no cause to regret it; the fact of my being so much lighter than Mr. A. L. Henderson, of London Bridge, weighed heavily in my favour, otherwise that gentleman would have taken the position I occupied. I may add that it was further hinted that, in case of an emergency, the sudden disposal of such an amount of ballast might lead to results more disastrous than would accrue from the loss of my weight, should occasion arise for treating me as ballast. Thus cheered, I took my place in the car, feeling that, after all, it was by no means an unpleasant duty to serve as deputy ballast. The few moments that remained prior to the start were occupied in preparing for the exposure of the extra rapid gelatine plates which Mr. Henderson had specially prepared for the pur pose. An approximate focus of the lens, a French doublet of six inches focus, had already been taken in the grounds of the Palace, and carefully noted on the camera, the latter being provided with six double dark slides for plates five inches squares. The exposing shutter was made by Mr. Collins, of St. John’s Wood, on the principle recommended by Colonel Stuart Wortley. The slide is placed in the camera, the eventful moment comes, and we bounce upwards. What a strange, yet delight ful sensation ! The effect is indescribable ; the earth seems to be receding as the sounds of the ringing cheers die away, and, with their authors, soon become lost in the dim distanca. Is it a dream? No,’tis a charming reality. I am clutching the camera, holding it firmly on the side of the car. I have already made my first exposure, and, reversiugtha slide, prepare to renew the attack. All this is the work of a few seconds only. Mr. W right, the owner of our balloon—who, by-tbe-bye, is a professional photographer—having, to use his own phrase, set things square, now comes to my assistance. Says he: “Cobb, my boy, you’ll do no good to-day—impossible! Come up with me in the summer time, and you’ll be rewarded for all your trouble.” Such was his frank opinion, and I shall not forget to jog his memory when the time comes, and sincerely hope that he will not have changed his mind. We had now attained an elevation of about two thousand feet, and were still rapidly rising, the much-dreaded haze becoming more and more decided. The gyratory movement of the balloon was at times very marked ; but this was only noticeable when watching our rival balloon, travelling in the same direction as ourselves, or some other distant object. Seeing that it was quite useless to husband my re sources, I exposed the remainder of my plates without further delay. In all probability the results of this experiment, so far as the photographs are concerned, will not be published, Mr. Henderson’s opinion being that the future interests of balloon photography will bo much better served by adopting such a course, than by the exhibition of photo graphs which would be likely to receive adverse criticisms from those who might judge of them as if produced under the most favourable conditions. In this opinion I fully concur. I believe it is the intention, however, to produce some of the plates at the next meeting of the Balloon Society. It must be borne in mind that space in the car of a balloon is very limited—at least, 1 found it so in the one attached to the bonnie “ Eclipse.” Nevertheless, by the exercise of a little ingenuity, ample means could be devised for the successful manipulation of dry plates. Of course an ordinary stand for the camera is quite out of the question. Instead of this I would suggest that the camera be provided with a board somewhat larger and about the same width as its base. Each end should be hinged, and provided with a slot cut lengthways, sufficient space being left in the centre of the board on which to screw the camera. Placing this on the border or top of the car, the hinged parts can be let down, one inside and one outside the car ; the two may then be held together in position by means of a long screw. Thus secured it would be impossible for the camera to fall, and it would also provide the means of elevating or depress ing it. A finder would doubtless be a valuable, though I scarcely think a necessary, adjunct to the paraphernalia. By four o’clock we had soared aloft to the tune of some 4,000 feet, and looking over the side of the car I beheld nature under strangely different aspects to what 1 had ever seen her before. Here was a vast expanse of country stretch ing out in every direction, presenting a strange appearance of concavity; for a considerable distance beneath us every object was distinctly visible, although of apparently such Lilliputian dimensions, the configuration of each being plainly traceable. The circuitous route of a caual could be followed as far as the eye could reach, and the line of a railway was easily distinguished by the comical looking train, which seemed to be but slowly crawling along through an open country without any apparent obstruction. I was forgetting for a moment the fact that our travelling at a