_Mr. Wilkinson's simple mode of levelling Cameras._--The following
ingenious suggestion appears in the 3rd Number of the _Journal of the
Photographic Society_, and deserves to be widely circulated. "My plan is to
place a T-square on the bottom of the camera, and draw one perpendicular
line on each side (exactly opposite to each other), either with paint or
pencil; or the ends of the camera itself will do if perpendicular to the
base. Then, having two musket bullets attached to a silk thread, simply
hang them over the camera, and everything required will be attained much
quicker by these plumb-lines, and with accuracy equal to the spirit-levels.
The advantage of the simple contrivance of two bullets suspended by threads
is, that when the thread is laid across the camera, it is at once seen
whether the thread touches all the way down both sides; if not, one or
other side of the camera is raised, until the thread lies close on each
side: this gives the level crossways. The other perpendicular of the line
is then sought for, and the back or front of the camera raised or lowered,
until the thread cuts the line drawn below. Here then we have the most
perfect line that can be obtained, at the expense of two bullets and a bit
of silk, answering every purpose of the best spirit-level, and applied in
one-half the time. It has since occurred to me, that as we sometimes
require to measure the distance for stereoscopic pictures, this thread
ought to be about three feet long; and we might as well make three knots,
and then we should have the measure of a three-feet rule always with us. It
has also occurred to me, that in taking portraits you sometimes require to
have a measure of time; and by a little modification we have here the most
accurate chronometer that can be produced. Instead of three feet, I make it
thirty-nine inches and the decimal necessary, say two-tenths from the
centre of support to the centre of the bullet. I then get a pendulum which
vibrates to second exactly, from the point of suspension to the point of
oscillation. I hang it by a pin, and I there have a chronometer of the
greatest possible accuracy; and I can employ it for taking portraits of
one, two, three, or four seconds: it will vibrate for a minute.
Consequently I have a mode of levelling my camera with the greatest
accuracy, a measure of time, and a measure of distance; and all at a cost
considerably under one penny."
_Antiquarian Photographic Club._--This association for the interchange of
photographic views of objects of antiquarian interest, has now nearly
attained the number of members to which it is proposed to limit it. For the
few remaining vacancies preference will be given, for obvious reasons, to
parties resident in varied localities. Any gentlemen or ladies desirous to
join the club, may send their names, with specimens of their skill, to the
_Honorary Secretary_, care of Mr. Bell, 186. Fleet Street. The amount of
the annual subscription is not yet fixed, but as all that can be required
will be to meet the expenses incident to the receipt and interchange of the
photographs, it must necessarily be very limited.
{463}
* * * * *
Replies to Minor Queries.
_Erroneous Forms of Speech: Mangel Wurzel_ (Vol. vii., p. 329.).--Against
the dictum of E. G. R., I beg insertion of the following quotation from the
_Agricultural Gazette_, March 4, 1848, p. 166.:
"Mangold wurzel is simply the German of _beet-root_. 'Mangel wurzel,'
on the other hand, is one founded on an idea, which, though absurd, did
not the less effectually answer the object of those who introduced the
plant. 'Scarcity root,' or 'Famine root,' made a good heading to an
advertisement."
And Rham, _Dictionary of the Farm_, p. 62.:
"The German name is 'Mangold wurzel,' or 'Mangold root;' but it is
sometimes pronounced 'Mangel wurzel,' which means _scarcity root_; and,
by a strange translation, it is called in French _racine d'abondance_,
as well as _racine de disette_. The name of field-beet is much more
appropriate."
I hope E. G. R. will, however, not insist on classing those who say and
write "mangold" with those who would write "reddishes, sparrowgrass, and
cowcumbers." I should be sorry to be suspected of any one of the three
last; but "mangold" I will say and write till the authority of the best
German scholars decrees otherwise.