[Footnote 3: the gallic acid was omitted in Issue 166, but inserted by an
erratum in Issue 168. Also "a saturated solution of gallic acid" was
printed as "a solvent solution ...", "hyposulphate" appeared for
"hyposulphite" throughout, and "solari_s_e" for "solari_z_e"--Transcriber.]
_Exhibition of recent Specimens of Photography at the Society of
Arts._--This exhibition, to which all interested in the art have been
invited to contribute, was inaugurated by a conversazione at the Society's
rooms, on the evening of Wednesday, the 22nd of December: the public have
since been admitted at a charge of sixpence each, and it will continue open
until the 8th of January.
We strongly recommend all our friends to pay a visit to this most
delightful collection. By our visit at the crowded conversazione, and
another hasty view since, we do not feel justified to enter into a review
and criticism of the specimens so fully as the subject requires; but in the
mean time we can assure our archæological readers that they will find there
such interesting records of architectural detail, together with views of
antiquities from Egypt and Nubia, as will perfectly convince them of the
value of this art with reference to their own immediate pursuits. Those who
feel less delight in mere antiquity will be gratified {23} to see, for the
first time, that there are here shown photographs which aim at more than
the bare copying of any particular spot; for many of the pictures here
exhibited may rank as fine works of art. We feel much delicacy and
hesitation in mentioning any particular artist, where so many are entitled
to praise, especially in some particular departments. We could point out
pictures having all the minute truthfulness of nature, combined with the
beautiful effects of some of the greatest painters. We must, however,
direct especial attention to the landscapes of Mr. Turner, the views in the
Pyrenees by Mr. Stewart, and one splendid one of the same locality by Le
Gray. Mr. Buckle's views in paper also exhibit a sharpness and detail
almost equal to collodion; as do the various productions of Mr. Fenton in
wax paper. The effects obtained also by Mr. Owen of Bristol appear to be
very satisfactory: why they are, with so much excellence, called
_experimental_, we cannot tell. In collodion Mr. Berger has exhibited some
effective portraits; and we think the success of Mr. De la Motte has been
so great, that in some of his productions little remains to be desired. We
cannot conclude this brief notice without directing attention to the
minuteness and pleasing effect of the views in Rome by M. Eugène Constant,
which are also from collodion; as also the specimens from albumen negatives
of M. Ferrier; and, lastly, to the pleasant fact that lady amateurs are now
practising this art,--very nice specimens being here exhibited by the
Ladies Nevill, whose example we shall hope to see followed.
* * * * *
Replies to Minor Queries.
_Quotation in Locke_ (Vol. vi., p. 386.).--The words "Si non vis intelligi
non debes legi" were, I believe, the exclamation of St. Jerome, as he threw
his copy of Persius into the fire in a fit of testiness at being unable to
construe some tough lines of that tough author. I set down this reply from
memory, and am unable to give the authority for it.