The Express.
London, England, 1853-01-22 00:00:00

PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.

In the rooms of the Society of Arta, John-street,
Adelphi, in which for the last month there has been an ex-
' hibition open to the public: of a very extensive and varied
e Ilection of photographic pictures—for a first collection, a
very wonderful exhibition Indeed—there was held on
Thursday a meeting of artists and men of science, for the
purpose of inaugurating an addition to the many philosophic
and artistic societies of the metropolis, to be called the Pho-
tographic Society, and to have fer its object, with a view
both to artistic and scientific results, the development of an
art as yet only in its infancy. Our readers will find, in the
report of what took place, a history of the origin of this
project, and &sufficient reference to the unwise opposition
which has been offered to its accomplishment.
Sir C. BAITLAILIII. President of the Royal Aced may, was
the chair. • large number of the members of the council
of the Society of Arta was present. Among the artists who
filled the room were many ladies.
After some prefatory remarks by the CIIALTIMAS, who
paid a high compliment to Mr. Fox Talbot for the high
consideration he had shown foe art and science is foregoing
his intent,
Mr. Rooms FINTON (who has taken the leading part in
the organisation of the new society, and whose lecture on
the occasion of the opening of the Photographic Exhibition
we reported) read a " report," drawn up by the "commit-
tee " who had fisted in this matter, and descriptive of the
proceedings which had led to the meeting. It attributed:the
" movement " in connexion with photography to the im-
pulse given to the art in this country by the collection and
competition of specimens at the Great Exhibition; and in
proof of the expediency of founding • society specially de- !
voted to the cultivation of the art, it referred to the recent
founding of mush &society in Paris. Shortly after the close of
the Crystal Palace an attempt was made in London to or-
ganise • society, but it was Sound that the existence of Mr.
Talbot's patent was incompatible with the completion of
each a purpose. But the reeving for having such an or-
ganisation daily grew stronger; the attempt was re-
newed; and on Sir C. Eastlake and Lord Rome, as the offi-
cial repreuntative• of art and science in this country,
waiting upon Mr. Talbot to represent the state of the case
to him, that gentleman most honourably undertook to
waive his right to the patent, so far as was possible for him
consistent with the engagements into which he had already
entered. Accordingly, arrangements were entered into
among the best knowayshotograpben, and the meeting that
day was tie result. The report concluded with toe ex-
pression of a belief that the Photographic Society would
be enabled to maintain • long, useful, and independent
existence.

Sir W. Nawroe moved • resolution, to the brief effect,
" That • society be now formed, and be called the Photo-
graphic Society." (Cheers.)
Mr. Rona= Hume (keeper of the Mining Records),
seconded the resolution, in a speech which was heartily
responded to, and in which he dwelt, as an argument in
favour of such a society, that various classes of persons
would have to combine to bring the art of photography to
perfection, or to practise it at all with suecess, vie., the
artist, the chemist, and the opticiln, the maker of lenses;
and obviously, said Mr. Hunt, the combination would be
all the more effective, if it was also co-operative. (Cheers.)
Mr. 0. L. N. Forma here intervened, and said that he
Ind buss deputed, with Dr. Playfair and Dr. Booth, by the
ewsmill K the Society of Arts, to bring the following reso-
lutions, ea suggestions, before the meeting :—lst. " Feeling
strongly convinced that the various branches of science and
art are. to a very great extent, dependent upon, and inti.
assail manected with each other, and that the multipli-
cation efencieties (or special objects, in any branch of the
applied sciences, is not generally desirable, inasmuch as it
tends to separate, rather than unite, fot the advancement of
a special object, the !about.' of individuals; and finding that
steps are being taken by several of the leading photographers
for the formation of a Photographic Society; the council of
the Society of Arts are of opinio that the objects
contemplated by that proposed society are intimately con-
nected with those which for many years past have received
the especial attention of the Society of Arts; and that,
therefore, it is desirable to suggest to the gentlemen en-
gaged in this direction, whether the progress of photography
may not be as effectually advanced by means of the existing
machinery of the Society of Arts. 2nd. That iu the event
of this suggestion being adopted, the council will be cor-
dially prepared to devote funds, rooms, officer,, and publi-
cations, with such other facilities as may be necessary for
the full development of photographic art; and a special
department being organised, and under the direction of a
photographic committee."
A Onsrunthu asked Mr. Foster what was the subscrip-
tion constituting • member of the Society of Arts ; and on'
being informed that it was two guineas he said that was
one guinea'more than the proposed subscription to the Photo-
graphic Society ; and the fact would, of worse, be an in-
ducement not to agree. with the council of the Society of
Arts. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. ALrUID Suns considered that the meeting was pre-
mature, seeing that there was this opposition to the esta-
blishment of the new society; ant under the circumstances
he thought he would be forwarding the g I object by
moving that the meeting be adjourned until the gentlemen
who had called them together had conferred further with
the council of the Society of Arts.
This amendment was not seconded, and consequently fell
to the ground.
Sir Wu. NSWTON could not understand the grounds on
which ttis opposition was offered. The Society of Arts
was really a scientific body. The object of the Photogra-
phje Society was artistic; and the purpose of the pronfoines
of the society was rendered plain in asking the preekMnt
of the Royal Academy to till the chair at that nsfeetkil.
(Hear, hear.)
Me. VIOPIOLLES thought they could not have too many
special societies, fur specialties progressed only by spend
devotion to them. (Hear, bear.)
The CBAISMAN said that it was entirely a matter et
'opinion whether they ought to accept the proffer of the
Society of Arts; but there could be but one feeling of gra-
titude to the council for the kindly aid they had hitherto
given to photographers. (Hear, hear.)
The resolution was then put and carried almost unani-
mously, four hands only being held up against it.
Mr. Fnueon then read the rules of the new society. The
council is to consist of 21 members, including • president,
three vice-president", • treasurer' and an hon secretary.
Ladles are to be eligible as members—a very proper novelty.
A Photographic Gallery is to be organi-ed ; the pictures to
be on sale, and the artists to pay • commission of 10 per cent.
to the society on the sales. The meetings of the society
will he held in the rooms of the Society of Arts. These
rules were adopted: and the submitted names of the wan-
ed and officers were approved; Sir C. Eastlake consenting
to be the first president, and Mr. Fenton acting as hon.
seetretary.

Dr. Boors said he hoped the meeting would not go away
with any wrong impression about the Society of Arm. The
mama had only thrown out suggestions with the best
motives, and with the siegle object of doing the utmost to
advises photography ; and with the new moiety the council
would be very
.glad
_always to co-operate. (Cheers)
The reeedusge closed with a vote of thanks to the chair-
men. t may, however, be iateresting to state, in this
place, that the exhibition el photographs (greatly extended
and improved since we first noticed it) is to be removed en
moue sad free of expense to the artists to Newcastle,
whither it is invited by the Philosophical Society of that
lowa.

THE MILITIA.
(mom liasT.sioxY• oAzsrrs.)

The folloiring comntheies• have been signed :
Arthur Deane, gent., to be liewlesaat, is the Boyd
mks Militia.
John Douglas, gest., to be lieutenant, in ditto.
Thomas Feller Maitland, gent., to be lieutenant,
ditto.

Cornet William John Phelps, to be lieutenant, vies
Button, who retires, in the Royal Gloneestenhire Regi-
ment of Moamar Yeomanry.
Cornet the Hon. Frederick Gough Calthorpe, to be
lieutenant, vies Baldwyn. who Mires, in ditto.
Henry Morgan, gent., to be cornet, vice Phelps, pro-
mated, in ditto.
William Davenport Davenport, gent., to be major, in the
Royal Cheshire Militia.
Williams Hoskins Harper, gent., to be major, in ditto.
Archibald Edmund Bromwich, to be in ditto.

4 eaitain,
Tablet Musts Taylor. got. Os be captain, in ditto.
John Burketone Lech.. gest., to be captain, in ditto.
llainsel Woodhouse, gent., Ise captain, in ditto.

Chutes Poppletea, Wed., ie be lielitenatit, is ditto.
/Fm" (3ol!tfa a".* /PI!" to he liist."l?S, is ditto.

Thomas Alderssy, ggeennt., to be lieutenant, iiditto.
Edward Charlie H he, gent., to be ensign, in ditto.
Thomas Edward Manland, gent., to be endgn, in ditto.
John Mankind Lingard, to be ensign, in ditto.
Edward Harrison Martin, to be ensign, in ditto.
Thomas Brittain gent., to bassiStant-surgeon, in ditto.
George Troyte Bullock, gent., to be ensign, vice Arthur
Allen, resigned, in the lst Somerset Regiment of Militia.
George Diodes Worry, gent., to be ensign, via Henry
Allen, resigned, in ditto.
Alfred Seymour, ggeant., to be cornet, vies Oeorge, pro-
moted, in the West Bomwmtehirs Regiment of Yeomanry
Cavalry.
Lieutenant Thomas Edward Clarke, to be septets, vise
Sanford, resigned, in ditto.
Winchester Henry Jones, lately a lieutenant in the 60th
Riles, to be lieutenant, vice Bweton-Orant, deceased, in
the Oxfordshire Regiment of Militia.
Lieutenant William Caeavelt Kortright, to be adjutant,
with the rank of captain, in the West Ewa Yeomanry
Cavalry.
George Alan Lowndes, gent., to be cornet, vice Round,
resigned, in ditto.
James Stuart Dobson, gent., to be surgeon, in ditto.

FREIGHTED TROOP-OHIPI AND CONVICT-SHIPS.—
The Lords Commissioner of the Board of Admiralty issued
the following important notice yesterday respeehug the
manning of ships freighted by government for the convey-
ance of troops to our different foreign possessions and col--
and also for the conveyance of convicts:—" That in
leosestmenco of freight ship, for the conveyance of troops
and esneicts being now taken up by the register ton new
memo, instead of the old measure, as formerly, the num-
, bee at men in freighted ships conveying troops shall not be
less than at the rate of four men for every 100 tons, and in
properties to the fractional parts of 100 tons, and two boys
to every ship; that the number of men in convict ships
'shall sot be less than at the rate of nine men for every 200
I toms , and in proportion for the fractional parts of 200 tons,
and two boys for each ship ; that the crews in all cases, es-
elusive of the hop, shall consi.t of not less than one half of
able seamen beton: the mast, and the remainder of ofikerel
and ordinary seamen who have been at sea ; that ships
shattered for the conveyance of stores shall be manned as
L in tie merchant mdse."