_Multiplication of Photographs._--In Vol. viii., p. 60. is a letter from
MR. JOHN STEWART of Pau suggesting certain modes of operating in producing
positive photographs, and which suggestions are apparently offered as
_novelties_, when, in fact, they have been for some considerable time in
practice by other manipulators. Of course, I do not suppose that they are
otherwise regarded by MR. STEWART than as novelties, who cannot be
acquainted with what is doing here; but it appears to me desirable to
discriminate between facts that are _absolutely_, and those that are
_relatively_ new.
Most of the transparent stereoscopic photographs sold in such numbers by
all our eminent opticians, _are actually produced_ in the way recommended
by MR. STEWART; and reduced copies of photographs, &c., have been produced
in almost every possible variety by DR. DIAMOND, and many others of our
most eminent photographers. Very early in the history of this science, the
idea was suggested by Mr. Fox Talbot himself, of taking views of a small
size, and enlarging them for multiplication; and, if I am rightly informed,
Mr. Ross was applied to to construct a lens specially for the purpose. Some
months back, as early at least as March or April in the present year, Mr.
F. H. Wenham actually printed on common chloride paper a _life-size_
positive from a small negative on collodion; and immediately afterwards
adopted the use of iodized paper for the same purpose; and after he had
exhibited the proofs, I myself repeated the experiment. In fact, had there
been time at the last meeting of the Photographic Society, a paper on this
very subject would have been read by Mr. Wenham; but the {86} business
before the meeting was too extensive to admit of it. My object is not, of
course, to offer any objection to the proposition, but simply to put in a
claim of merit for the idea originally due to Mr. Fox Talbot, and
secondarily to Mr. Wenham, who I believe was an earlier operator in this
way than any one.