contains some of Mr. Hill's views in relation to the various rumors
afloat, I have thought it best to insert it for the public.
S. D. H.
* * * * *
We take pleasure in saying to our friends that, through the kindness of
John Johnson, Esq., of this city, we have received many of the valuable
letters and papers written by Mr. S. A. Wolcott, a former partner of the
first named gentleman. Mr. W. is well and favorably known as one of our
early and most successful investigators in the Photogenic Art. Many of
the most valuable improvements had their origin in his hands. We were
surprised to find so great an amount of information as is here presented.
Our Daguerreotypists of the present day may consider themselves fortunate,
when looking back upon the difficulties experienced by those early
engaged in putting a shadow on the silver plate. We find here many a
mystery unravelled, and set forth in a light heretofore unexplained. As
these letters, written by Mr. W. to his partner, Mr. J., (at the time
they were written) were many of them confidential, and some few contain
business matter of a foreign character, it will require some little time
to prepare them for the press in the order in which they were written. We
shall make no alteration in the manuscript, and exclude such matter only
as relates to business of a foreign character. They present a team of
investigation and research worthy the first in the scientific circle.
We would here take occasion to speak of a curious specimen of our art,
which we saw while recently spending an evening with Mr. Johnson. This
specimen is a profile view of a gentleman, and if not the _first_ likeness
from life, it is said to claim age with the oldest Daguerreotype ever
produced, and is no less interesting for its antiquity than for its size,
it being on a plate _less than one quarter of an inch square_. To produce
an impression on such a plate it would require the superior skill of the
most successful operator of the present day. The outline is distinctly
marked, the features remarkably well delineated, being in fact, one of the
most interesting curiosities we have ever witnessed. The plate is cemented
by means of Canada Balsam to a piece of plate glass about three-fourths of
an inch square, and thus it has been preserved in its present state.
We saw many other specimens of Daguerreian antiquity, but as we intend
to speak more fully of our evening visit at Mr. Johnson's, we will defer
further notice for the present.
We would here say to such as may have Mr. Walcott's letters relative to
the art, that we would consider ourselves especially favored if we could
be allowed the perusal of them.
* * * * *
=THE NATURAL COLORS IN PHOTOGRAPHY.=
The subscriber begs to request those interested in the above discovery
_not to visit him_ until further notice, which will be given in the
Daguerreian Journal. It is _absolutely essential_ that he should have his
time, and be left undisturbed. Stern necessity, arising from the fact
that I can never complete my process if disturbed as hitherto, compels me
to say both to friends and strangers, that my doors are locked, and will
continue to be until I have completed my experiments. As this notice is
given with a regard to the general good, it is presumed no offence will be
taken.
L. L. Hill.
Westkill, Green Co., N. Y.,
May 25, 1851.
Editors by inserting the above in their papers will confer a favor, and
save many from spending their time and money to no purpose.
* * * * *
=OUR DAGUERREOTYPES.=
Butler, of this city, is now producing fine likenesses in oil. This
gentlemen calls these pictures "Daguerreotypes in Oil." We never have seen
better likenesses transferred from a Daguerreotype, and in an economical
point of view, they are the best oil paintings that can be had.
* * * * *
E. Long, of St. Louis, Mo. In our last, we spoke of H. H. Long as the
gentleman who had produced likenesses of Jenny Lind. This was incorrect;
we should have said E. Long. However, they both are a _long_ ways from
taking poor Daguerreotypes.
* * * * *
L. M. Ives, of Boston, will please pardon us (or rather our printer) for
the mistake in the Journal in his name and locality. Mr. I. being himself
a sure operator, will certainly pardon a failure in others. We will
endeavor to do better in future.
* * * * *
N. E. Sissons, of Albany. This gentleman has completed an extensive
addition to his former establishment. W e find here one of the most
substantial proofs that close application and honorable dealing are
awarded by success. Mr. S. has now five rooms--one for reception, a
gallery or operating room, and three stock rooms. It is highly gratifying
to his friends to learn of his success, and we predict for him a large and
profitable business. We have ordered one of C. C. Harrison's best full
sized camera tubes, and one of W. & W. H. Lewis' camera boxes, which will
be forwarded to Mr. S., he being entitled to it from the fact that he
has obtained for us the largest list of subscribers. He is a "practical
operator."
* * * * *
J. D. Wells, Northampton, Mass., has recently fitted up a large
establishment in that place. Mr. W. is an old an experienced operator, and
has five rooms in his establishment, a very fine sky and side light, and
is prepared to execute such likenesses as will please the inhabitants of
that beautiful village in the valley of the Connecticut.
* * * * *
=SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH BETWEEN ENGLAND AND FRANCE.=
The project of constructing a submarine telegraph between England and
France, across the Straits of Dover, first announced during the year
1349,[A] has been in part accomplished. The following description of the
laying down of the wire, we copy from an English Journal:--
[Footnote A: See Annual of Scientific Discovery, 1850, page 128.]
At one o'clock the steamer Goliath was ready to start across the Channel,
with all the necessary apparatus on board, and a crew of about thirty men.
Between the paddle-wheels, in the centre of the vessel, was a gigantic
drum, or wheel, nearly fifteen feet long and seven feet in diameter,
weighing seven tons, and fixed on a strong framework. Upon it was coiled
up, in careful, close convulsions, about thirty miles of telegraphic wire,
one-tenth of an inch in diameter, incased in a covering of gutta-percha,
the thickness of the little finger. The point proposed to be reached, Cape
Grinez, the nearest landmark to the English coast, and between Calais and
Boulogne, is a distance of twenty-one miles, so that a surplus supply of
nine miles of wire was held in reserve for the purpose of slackening.
The connecting wires were placed in readiness at the Government pier in
the harbor, and likewise at the Cape, where they run up the face of the
acclivity, which is 194 feet above the sea-mark.
Some interesting experiments were first made upon a small scale to show
the practicability of the plan. A mile of wire was paid out off the deck,
from the pier to Shakspeare's Cliff, and the sinking process was proved
to be a practicable performance. A communication was also sent through
twenty four miles of wire. On Wednesday morning the experiment of sinking
submarinely was practically commenced. The Goliath put out to the pier,
with her telegraphic tackle and apparatus on board, under a calm sea
and sky and a favoring wind. The connection between the thirty miles of
telegraphic wire was then made good to 300 yards of the same wire inclosed
in a leaden tube on shore, to prevent it being bruised by the shingle on
the beach, and to enable the experimenters, as they proceeded out to sea,
to send communications on shore. The vessel steamed out at the rate of
three or four miles an hour into the open sea, in a direct track for Cape
Grinez. The wire weighed five tons and the cylinder two. The operation of
paying out the thirty miles of wire commenced on a signal to the sailors
to "Go-ahead with the wheel, and pay out the wire," which was continuously
streamed out over a roller at the stern of the vessel, the men at every
16th of a mile being busily engaged in riveting on to the wire, square
leaden clamps, or weights of iron, from 14 lbs. to 24 lbs. in weight,
which had the effect of sinking the wire to the bottom, which, on the
English coast commences at a depth of 30 feet, and goes on varying from
that to 100 and 180 feet, which latter, or 30 fathoms, is the greatest
depth.
The whole of the casting out and sinking was accomplished with great
precision and success, owing to the favorable state of the day. The only
conjectured difficulty on the route was at a point in midchannel, called
the Ridge, between which and another inequality called the Varne, both
well known and dreaded by navigators, there is a deep submarine valley,
surrounded by shifting sands, the one being seventeen miles in length, and
the other twelve, and in their vortex, not unlike the voracious one of
Godwin Sands, ships encounter danger and lose their anchors, and trolling
nets of fishermen are frequently lost. Over this, however, the wire was
successfully submerged, below the reach, it is believed, of either ship's
anchors, sea-animals, or fishing nets. The remainder of the route, though
rougher on approaching the coast of France, was accomplished cleverly,
but slowly. A communication, dated Cape Grinez, Coast of France, half
past eight, P. M., and received at Dover by submarine telegraph, was
as follows:--"The Goliath has just arrived in safety, and the complete
connection of the under-water wire with that left at Dover this morning is
being run up the face of the cliff; complimentary interchanges are passing
between France and England, under the strait and through it, for the first
time."
Notwithstanding this apparently successful result of the work, the line
was cut asunder soon after the connection was completed on the rocks near
Cape Grinez, the physical configuration of the French coast being very
unfavorable. The precise point where the breakage took place was about two
hundred yards out to sea, just where the twenty miles of electric line
that had been laid down from Dover joins on to a leaden tube designed to
protect it from the surge beating against the beach, and which also serves
a similar purpose up the front of the cliff to the station upon the top.
The leaden conductor, it would appear, was of too soft a texture to resist
the oscillation of the sea, and thereby became detached from the coil of
gutta-percha wire that was thought to have been safely encased in it. The
occurrence was, of course, quickly detected by the sudden cessation of
the series of communications, though it was at first a perplexing point
to discover at what precise spot the wire was broken or at fault. This,
however, was done by hauling up the line at intervals, a process which
disclosed the gratifying fact, that, since its first sinking, it had
remained in situ at the bottom of the sea, inconsequence of the leaden
weights or clamps that were strung to it at every sixteenth of a mile. The
experiment, as far as it has gone, proves the possibility of the gutta
percha wire resisting the action of the salt water, of the fact of its
being a perfect waterproof insulator, and that the weights on the wire
are sufficient to prevent it being drifted away by the currents, and for
sinking it in the sands.
The work at present has been suspended, but will be resumed again during
the spring of 1851; a somewhat different plan, however, has been proposed
to be followed from that at first adopted. Instead of one slender wire,
it is intended to lay down cables inclosing four lines. These cables
will be composed of gutta-percha, four or five inches in thickness, the
whole encased in wire rope, chemically prepared, to protect it from rot,
and kyanized. There will be two of these cables, each twenty miles
long, and three miles apart, the whole weight representing 400 tons;
and it is expected, when chained down in the bottom of the sea, they
will be of sufficient consistency and strength to resist the anchor of a
120-gun ship. The expense of the cables is estimated at £40,000. It is
thought that the whole work may be accomplished by May, 1851.--_Annual of
Scientific Discovery._
* * * * *
=ACTION OF SOLUTIONS OF CHLORIDES AND AIR ON MERCURY.=
We have given in previous Numbers the results of M. Mialhe's experiments
on the action of chlorides on some mercurial compounds, and he states that
he had nearly concluded his experiments when it occurred to him to try
whether mercury itself would not be acted upon by this class of substances.
Experiment, he states, confirmed his suspicions, for he found that the
solutions of the alkaline chlorides put into contact with mercury and
atmospheric air always produced bichloride of mercury, the quantity of
which was greater in proportion to the concentration of the solution of
the chloride, and the more perfect state of division of the metal, but no
effect is produced unless oxygen, that of the air being sufficient, is
present.
_1st Experiment._--Mercury treated with the solution of alkaline chlorides
(described in our last Number as the assay liquor ), gave by stove heat
0·4 part of sublimate.
_2nd Experiment._--The above repeated with the mercury finely divided by
mucilage, yielded 0·7 part of sublimate.
The researches already detailed sufficiently prove, in the opinion of M.
Mialhe, that the decomposing power of the alkaline chlorides is great, but
they do not teach us anything as to their relative energy. The following
experiments will supply this deficiency.
_Hydrochlorate of Ammonia._--One hundred and twenty parts of hydrochlorate
of ammonia and 30 parts of calomel were placed in an open bottle containg
1000 parts of distilled water, the temperature of which was gradually
raised to 122° Fahr., and kept for half an hour; the sublimate produced
amounted to 0·9 of a part.
The experiment repeated with the following salts gave the annexed
quantities of sublimate:--
Chloride of Sodium, 0·4 of a part.
Chloride of Barium, 0·4 "
Chloride of Potassium, 0·3 "
It results from these experiments that the hydrochlorate of ammonia is the
most powerful of these four salts.
In concluding his experiments, M. Mialhe remarks that the reactions which
he has pointed out take place at common temperatures, but better at
the temperature of the human body. All of them are produced in a short
time, and some occur instantaneously, the greater part requiring only a
few hours' contact for action. As then the different fluids contained
in the human body contain oxygen, chloride of sodium, and hydrochlorate
of ammonia, accompanied or not with hydrochloric and other acids which
may facilitate their action, it follows that all the chemical phenomena
produced under the circumstances described, occur in the human body when
any mercurial preparation whatever is introduced into it; these always
produce a certain quantity of corrosive sublimate in which their medicinal
properties reside; and this fact explains, in the opinion of M. Mialhe,
the hitherto unexplained physiological action and therapeutic properties
of metallic mercury when introduced into the animal economy.--_Ann. de
Chim. et de Phys._, Juin 1842.
* * * * *
=THE HEAT OF COMBINATIONS.=
Every molecular change in the condition of matter is almost invariably
connected with the evolution or absorption of heat, and the quantity of
heat thus set free or absorbed bears always a definite relation to the
amount of the mechanical or chemical action. To ascertain this relation
has been the object of my investigations, and the following are a few
of my principal results. 1. The solution of a salt in water is always
accompanied by an absorption of heat. 2. If equal weights of the same salt
be dissolved in succession in the same liquid, the heat absorbed will be
less on each new addition of salt. 3. The heat absorbed by the solution of
a salt in water holding other salts dissolved is generally less than that
absorbed by its solution in water. 4. The heat absorbed by the solution of
a salt in the dilute mineral acids is generally greater than that absorbed
by its solution in water. In reference to the combination of acids and
bases, the heat developed during the union is determined by the base, and
not by the acid. An equivalent of the same base combined with different
acids produces nearly the same quantity of heat. When a neutral salt is
converted into an acid salt by combining with one or more equivalents of
acids, no disengagement of heat occurs. When a double salt is formed by
the union of two neutral salts, the same is the case, but when a neutral
salt is converted into a basic salt, there is a disengagement of heat.
When solutions of two neutral salts are mixed, and a precipitate formed
from their mutual decomposition, there is always a disengagement of
heat, which, though small, is perfectly definite in amount. The diamond
disengages 7,824 units of heat during its combustion in oxygen gas, in the
form of graphite, 7,778 units, and in that of wood charcoal, 8,080.--Dr.
Andrews before the British Association at Birmingham.
* * * * *
[The following papers have been furnished us by Mr. Pirsson, one of the
former editors of the Eureka, they having been previously published in
that Journal; for the cuts, which will appear in our next number, we are
indebted to Mr. Starr, one of the present editors of the _Farmer and
Mechanic_, and formerly publisher of the _Eureka_.]
* * * * *
=DAGUERREOTYPE.=
BY JOHN JOHNSON.
As a general thing, however perfect any invention may be deemed by the
inventor or discoverer, it falls to the lot of most, to be the subject of
improvement and advancement, and especially is this the case with those
new projects in science which open an untrodden field to the view of the
artizan. Such has been in an eminent degree, the case with the discovery
first announced to the world by Mons. Jean Jacques Claude Daguerre,
of Paris, in the year 1839, and which excited unbounded astonishment,
curiosity and surprise. It may be questioned had any other than Daguerre
himself discovered a like beautiful combination, whether the world would
have been favored with details exhibiting so much care, patience and
perseverance as the Daguerreotype on its introduction. Shortly after
these details reached the United States, by Professor S. F. B. Morse, of
New York, who was, at the time of the discovery, residing in Paris. By
this announcement, the whole scientific corps was set in operation, many
repeating the experiments, following carefully the directions pointed
out by Daguerre, as being necessary to success. Among the number in the
United States, was Alexander S. Wolcott (since deceased) and myself, both
of this city. On the morning of the 6th day of October, 1839, I took to
A. Wolcott's residence, a full description of Daguerre's discovery, he
being at the time engaged in the department of Mechanical Dentistry, on
some work requiring his immediate attention, the work being promised
at 2 P. M., that day; having, therefore, no opportunity to read the
description for himself, (a thing he was accustomed to do at all times,
when investigating any subject,) I read to him the paper, and proposed
to him that if he would plan a camera, (a matter he was fully acquainted
with, both theoretically and practically) I would obtain the materials as
specified by Daguerre. This being agreed to, I departed for the purpose,
and on my return to his shop, he handed me the sketch of a camera box,
without at all explaining in what manner the lens was to be mounted. This
I also undertook to procure. After 2 P. M., he had more leisure, when he
proceeded to complete the camera, introducing for that purpose a reflector
in the back of the box, and also to affix a plate holder on the inside,
with a slide to obtain the focus of the plate, prepared after the manner
of Daguerre. While Mr. Wolcott was engaged with the camera, I busied
myself in polishing the silver plate, or rather silver plated copper, but
ere reaching the end preparatory to iodizing, I found I had nearly or
quite removed the silver surface from off the plate, and that being the
best piece of silver plated copper to be found, the first remedy at hand
that suggested itself, was a burnisher, and a few strips were quickly
burnished and polished. Meantime, the camera being finished, Mr. Wolcott,
after reading for himself Daguerre's method of iodizing, prepared two
plates, and placing them in the camera, guessed at the required time they
should remain exposed to the action of the light; after mercurializing
each in turn, and removing the iodized surface with a solution of common
salt, two successful impressions were obtained, each unlike the other!
Considerable surprise was excited by this result, for each plate was
managed precisely like the other. On referring to Daguerre, no explanation
was found for this strange result; time, however, revealed to us that one
picture was positive, and the other negative. On this subject I shall
have much to say during the progress of the work. Investigating the cause
of this difference occupied the remainder of that day, However, another
attempt was agreed upon, and the instruments, plates, &c., prepared and
taken up into an attic room, in a position most favorable for light.
Having duly arranged the camera, I sat for five minutes, and the result
was a profile miniature, (a miniature in reality,) on a plate not quite
three-eighths of an inch square. Thus, with much deliberation and study,
passed the first day in Daguerreotype--little dreaming or knowing into
what a labyrinth such a beginning was hastening us.
(_To be continued._)
* * * * *
=GALVANIZING DAGUERREOTYPE PLATES.=
The Battery. The best way is to purchase a good Daniel's Battery. Price $2
00. To be had at any of the dealers.
For the benefit of those who cannot procure one, I would give the
following directions for making one: Procure a copper cup, (sheet copper)
6 inches high, and 4 inches in diameter; also a cup of porous earthenware,
(a small unglazed flower pot answers,) or a leather cup made water tight
by sewing, or even a cylinder of porous wood, (say maple or ash,) 3 inches
diameter, and about 6 inches high. This is to stand in the centre of the
copper cup. Now, procure a solid cylinder of zinc, 6 inches high and 1
inch diameter. This is to stand in the centre of the porous cup. Fastened
to the upper end of the zinc cylinder there should be a copper wire,
pretty thick. It should be held by a screw, or soldered on, and previous
to the fastening, both the wire and zinc should be made clean and bright,
that there may be a perfect connection. A similar wire is to be fastened,
in the same way, to the upper rim of the copper cup. Let these wires be
about 6 inches long. To the end of the one coming from the copper fasten a
plate of pure silver, about as large as a quarter plate, unless you wish
to galvanize whole plates, in which case the silver plate must be larger,
say, the size of a half plate. For small plates a silver dollar, enlarged
to twice its size by hammering, will answer, but is not so good. To
hammer it, it must be first heated, red hot, and allowed to cool slowly.
This plate is to be immersed in the silver solution, described below, near
the side of the solution jar. The other wire must be bent at the end like
a hook, to receive the catch. This catch may be a piece of copper wire
about 4 inches long, hooked at one end, and having several turns at the
other end, to strengthen it. Between these turns the Daguerreotype plate,
well polished, is inserted, as in a sort of jaw. The wire holding the
catch should be so bent that the Daguerreotype plate will stand from one
to three inches from, and face the annode, or silver plate.
Let the silver solution be well stirred, just before immersing a plate;
then, blowing away the froth and scum, immediately dip the plate, and hang
it on the wire. Let it remain until it takes on a deep blue color, take
it out, grasp it with the plyers, rinse it freely with clean water, and
dry it carefully with a spirit lamp. Buff again to a polish, galvanize to
a light blue, rinse, dry, and buff again, and it is ready for the coating
box.