Not less than a quart of distilled water is required when the design is of the dimensions indicated in the engraving, 8 by 6 inches. The drops of water remaining on the plate must be removed by forcibly blowing upon it, for otherwise in drying they would leave stains on the drawing. Hence also will appear the necessity of using very pure water, for if, in this last washing, the liquid contain an admixture of foreign substances, they will be deposited on the plate, leaving behind numerous and permanent stains. To be assured of the purity of the water, let a drop fall upon a piece of polished metal; evaporate by heat, and if no stain be left the water is pure. Distilled water is always sufficiently pure without this trial.

After this washing the drawing is finished; it remains only to preserve it from the dust and from the vapors that might tarnish the silver. The mercury by the action of which the images are rendered visible, is partially decomposed; it resists washing, by adhesion to the silver, but cannot endure the slightest rubbing.

Fig. 1 represents the frame of iron wire for the support of the plate, while undergoing the operation of heating. The first view is the plane seen from above; the second is a section and elevation, shewing the manner in which it is fixed. Fig. 6 B is the spirit lamp applied under the plate; A its stopple.

Fig. 2. The plate of plated
silver on which the photo-
graphic design is made. The
dimensions according to the
scale are eight and a quarter
inches by six inches four
tenths.
To operate upon
plates of larger dimensions re-

To preserve the sketches then, place them in squares of strong pasteboard, with a glass over them, and frame the whole in wood. They are thenceforth unalterable even by the sun's light. In traveling, the collector may preserve his sketches in a box similar to the one Fig. 9, and for greater security may close the joints of the lid with a collar of paper. It is necessary to state that the same plate may be employed for several successive trials, provided the silver be not polished through to the copper. But it is very important after each trial to remove the quires all the apparatus to be enlarged, for the mercury immediately, by using the pumice pow-same camera which admits light sufficient for der with oil, and changing the cotton frequently such a plate has its intensity too much diminishduring the operation. If this be neglected, the mercury finally adheres to the silver, and fine drawings cannot be obtained if this amalgam be present. They always in this case want firmness, neatness, and vigor of outline and general effect.

The author made attempts to preserve his sketches by means of different varnishes obtained from succinum, copal, indian rubber, wax, and various resins; but he has observed, that by the application of any varnish whatsoever, the lights in these sketches were considerably weakened, and at the same time the deeper tones were hidden. To this disadvantage, was added the still greater injury from the decomposition of the mercury by all the varnishes tried; this effect, which did not become apparent till after the lapse of two or three months, terminated in a total destruction of the forms of the objects represented. Even had this not been the case, the author would have deemed it a sufficient reason for rejecting all varnishes, that they injured the vigor and clearness of the lights. The quality most to be desired in the new art is this intensity of tone in the contrast of the lights and

shadows.

24 view

ed, when a greater focal distance with the same
aperture, and consequently same number of rays,
spread over a larger surface. In polishing the
plate, begin at C, and strike circularly outward
to the circumference. Vary the direction, how-
ever, and invert the process. Always
press lightly and evenly. Fig. 2, second
view, is the plate seen edgewise; the
lines represent (nearly its thickness.
Fig. 4, muslin bag, with pumice powder.
Fig. 3. The little board or wooden tablet upon
which the plate is fixed for the succeeding opera-

4

D D

B

D

D

tions after the first one of polishing. It is attached by means of four fillets, B B B B, exactly the same material as the plate itself. To each of these are soldered two small projecting pieces, which embrace the plate near the corners, and the whole apparatus is retained in position by small nails, or better, screws through holes in the fillets, and inserted by the handle or turn-screw, fig. 5. The purpose of the fillets is not solely to fix the plate, their more im portant use is to serve as a kind of frame to it, while undergoing the sec2¢ view ond process; the application of the iodine: without these, the cooling of iodine would not be equally diffused, for the vapor

would condense more rapidly along the edges, 1 of their surfaces. If filled with plates that have

5

and consequently, the coating would be too thin in the centre and too thick round the circumference. It is perhaps not easy to explain so as to satisfy all; but the experimental part is not the less certain. Fig. 3, second view, thickness of the board.

Fig. 7. Section of the box for iodine, used in the second operation. The section is supposed to pass down the middle of the apparatus by the line A B, Fig. 8, which represents the same seen from above. C is a small lid, which fits accurately the interior, dividing the whole into two chambers. It is used at all times, except when the operator is actually employed in coating the tablet. Its use is to concentrate the vapor of the iodine, and preserve the whole in a state for equally and rapidly diffusing the vapor, when the plate has been introduced. D is the capsule or little cup in which the iodine is placed. E the small board with the plate attached, face downward.

8

designs, the case should be wrapped in paper, or
better, cloth, to preserve them from dust and light.
In travelling, this precaution is always necessary.
Figs. 10, 11,
12, and 13, rep-
resent four dif-

A

10 E

11

ferent positions of the frame into which the plate
with its wooden tablet is put, on removal from
the iodine pro-
cess. The ob-
ject of the ap-
paratus is two-
fold:-to adapt

the plate to the
camera obseu-

ra, and to pro

tect the iodine

B

B

coating from the action of light to the moment in
which it receives the focal image.

A, Half circles which open and shut the doors,

B B.

angles and retain the plate

B

plate, the doors

being open, the

focal image falls

in the most favorable position for receiving the vaporization of the iodine as it rises upward. Of course the cover C is withdrawn. G is the box lid always shut, except when the plate is to be withdrawn for examination. H supports for C. K, tapering sides all round, forming a funnel-shaped box within the other, the funnel shaped interior diffuses the vapors of iodine, which thus spread as they rise. J, circle of gauze, stretched over a ring, and placed upon the cup with the iodine. The vapor of which rising through this light covering flows up equally, and not in clouds, also the gauze prevents the particles of this substance from flying about and probably injuring the plate.

upon the pre-
pared plate, and
leaves its impress
penciled there by
the rays of light

C

proceeding from the natural objects.

The camera obscura, as adapted to photogenic delineation is shown Fig. 14, which is a perpendicular section lengthwise.

Fig. 9. Case for
preserv-
ing the plates from injury,
either before or after they
have been impressed with
images. They slip into A, a ground glass by which the focus is adjust-
grooves formed into two ed. It is then removed, and the photographic
opposite sides of the case, plate substituted, as in C, Fig. 15. B, a mirror
and at some little distance for observing the effect of objects, and selecting
apart, so that the plates points of view. For these purposes it is inclined
cannot touch in any part at an angle of forty-five degrees, by means of the

1

Fig. 20. Funnel with plate of paper for purifying the saline wash of salt or hyposulphite of presented one of the plates in the act of being washed. Two such troughs must be prepared one for salt-the other for distilled

soda

water.

24

state that, since the knowledge of this wonderful discovery reached this country, some of our scientific men have been engaged in repeating the experiments, and have produced some good re

sults.

It could not, however, be supposed that the peculiar spirit of American enterprise would rest satisfied with this; and, accordingly, no sooner had those engaged in the experiments fully satisfied themselves that the process was practically given, than they almost immediately conceived it possible to effect similar results by more simple and less expensive means; and we are happy to state that the results of their experiments have established the following facts, viz:

1. That instead of the costly combination of glasses, recommended by M. Daguerre, a single Meniscus glass has produced as exact and brilliant results as we have yet seen, and requires less time.

2. From a number of experiments it has been proved, that the use of dilute nitric acid can be dispensed with, as several fine proofs have been produced without its use. This renders the protomne acid has heretofore been considered out of the nicest points in the preparation of the plate, application of as, if it be unequally applied, it prevents the plate acquiring the uniform golden color when exposed nitric acid, all that is required is to finish the in the iodine box. In dispensing with the use of polish of the plate, with dry, well levigated, and washed rotten stone; after which, the plate should be carefully rubbed off with dry cotton.

in the wash.

19

2dview

23

Fig. 19. Apparatus in japanned white iron for washing the designs.

E, well for receiving the water that flows through the tube C.

Fig. 23. Bottle with wide mouth serving to warm the distilled water and to pour it upon the plate when placed as at B, Fig. 19.

OBSERVATIONS.

3. The iodine box, recommended by M. Daguerre, is entirely too deep, for it requires from 15 to 30 minutes exposure of the plate before the proper color is produced. The box should be about four inches deep, with a tray, an inch deep, that will fit into the bottom of it. Upon this tray the iodine is to be spread, and then covered with a double thickness of fine gauze, or velvet, which is to be tacked to the upper edge of the tray; supports are then to be fastened in each corner of the box, at such a height as that the plate can be lowered to within an inch of the gauze. A box constructed on this plan will produce the proper golden color, on the plate, in one or two minutes. This modification of the iodine box was suggested by Mr. Seager, who has used it satisfactorily for some time past.

4. The ingenuity displayed by some of our us every reason to believe that, ere long, they mechanics in the manufacture of the plates, gives at a reasonable price. Should they succeed in will be furnished with almost the requisite polish, hours of manual labor, in the preparation of the doing this, it will save the experimenter several plate, as nothing then will be required but the finishing polish, with prepared rotten stone, mentioned above.

TABLE OF GENERAL RULES FOR EXPOSURE OF THE
PLATE IN THE CAMERA, IN TAKING EXTERIOR
VIEWS.

The preceding pages describe fully the process of M. Daguerre-a strict adherence to which will enable almost any person to produce beautiful specimens; and it affords us great pleasure to The following table is compiled partly from obser

its advantages above their sphere, but to make them more capable of performing the part which the law of society, and indeed, the nature of things, allots as the peculiar province of the female. "She looked well to the ways of her household," is a commendation which every body who is the mistress of a family should be ambitious to deserve; and if she possess genius, and even talent, yet still let her remember, that to make a happy home for her husband and children, is far more praiseworthy than to make a book.

Mrs. Hale.

STATE OF THE
WEATHER.

Very brilliant and clear, wind steady from W. or N. W., very deep blue sky, and absence of red rays at sunrise or sunset. Time employed.

Clear, wind from S.W., moderately cold, but a slight perceptible vapor in comparison with above. Time employ

ed

It is impossible, at present, to state precisely the time required to expose the plate in the camera at all seasons of the year; but the preceding table, drawn up by Mr. D. W. Seager, of this city, and which coincides in general with the observations of others, may prove useful as a guide to experimenters. The time will necessarily decrease as the summer months approach. Much, however, depends upon the selection of the view; a white marble edifice, for instance, requires less time than darker buildings. American Repertory.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

INVOCATION TO SPRING.

THE following beautiful lines are from the pen of MARGARET MILLER DAVIDSON, written in her twelfth year. She died at the age of fifteen.

Bend down from thy chariot, oh beautiful Spring!
Unfold like a standard, thy radiant wing,

And beauty and joy in thy rosy path bring!
We long for thy coming, sweet goddess of love!
We watch for thy smile in the pure sky above!

And we sigh for the hour when the wood-birds shall
sing,

And nature shall welcome thee, beautiful Spring!
How the lone heart will bound, when thy presence

draws near,

As if borne from this world to some loftier sphere!
When thy first blush has teinted the earth and the
skies,

How the fond soul to meet thee, in rapture shall rise!
Oh! send thy soft breath on the icy bound stream;
"Twill vanish, 'twill melt like the forms in a dream,
Released from the chain, like a child in its glee,
"Twill flow on unbounded, unfettered, and free:
'Twill leap on in thy joy, like a bird on the wing,
And hail the sweet music, oh beautiful Spring!
But tread with thy foot, on the snow-covered plain,
And verdure and beauty shall smile in thy train!
But whisper one word with thy seraph-like voice,
And nature and earth shall rejoice, shall rejoice!
Oh Spring, lovely goddess, what form can compare
With thine so resplendent, so glowing, so fair!
What sunbeam so bright as thine own smiling eye,
From whose glance the dark spirit of Winter doth fly!
A garland of roses is twined round thy brow,
Thy cheek with the pale blush of evening doth glow,
A mantle of green o'er the soft form is spread,
And the light-winged zephyr plays round thy head.
Oh could I but mount on the eagle's dark wing,
And rest ever beside thee, Spring, beautiful Spring!
While the thought of thy beauty inspireth my brain,
I shrink from the terror of cold Winter's reign,
Methinks I behold thee, I hear thy soft voice,
And in fulness of heart I rejoice, I rejoice!
But the cold wind is moaning, the drear snow doth
fall,

And naught but the shrieking blast echoes my call.
Oh heed the frail offering an infant can bring!
Oh grant my petition, Spring, beautiful spring!

Young ladies are now-a-days, taught a multiplicity of arts and accomplishments, and nothing which can add to the graces of mind and manner, seems to be omitted or forgotten. Only one requisite is wanting to complete the system. It is that these intelligent and accomplished young ladies should be seduously instructed in the art of applying their knowledge and exhibiting their graces advantageously. Not that they may procure a good establishment, which as the term is now understood, means a fine house, fine furniture, and a husband who has money in his purse, but that they may be fitted to discharge those IF a seaman should put about every time he important duties which only can make women encountered a head wind, he would never make useful, respectable, truly beloved, and consequent-a voyage. So he who permits himself to be ly happy. The aim of female education, there- baffled by adverse circumstances, will never make fore, ought to be, not to exalt those who enjoy the voyage of life.