The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-24 00:00:00

The Photo;

the Thieves.

(From the British Journal of Phologra
I began operations on a good-looking ;mine, ick-
pocket, familiarly known as " Perth Bess," w6hpom I
was anxious to make No. 1 in our album. Now Bess,
when brought into the yard and seated on a chair
in front of the camera, had at once an idea of the
purpose for which she had been brought there
and, familiar as I am in "reading faces," I saw she
was determined on thwarting our pictorial inten-
tions, although she wisely kept her own counsel.
The plate being prepared, and everything
ready, I enjoined on her the necessity of
sitting quite still when I told her to do so.
She faithfully promised attendance. "Steady,
then," says I, pulling off the cap, and Bessie's
head sitnultane ously underwent a series of slow
steady oscillations from side to side which totally
destroyed plate No. 1. Oa developing it, I found
a sharp body with an intensely blurred head. I
made fifteen trials on Perth Bees that day, but they
were all total failures. When I pulled off the cap
from the lens she was so nervous, she said, that the
sight of the round glass looking at her that way
made her feel so queer that she shook and trembled
all over. Intimating my intention of giving up
operations for that day, Bessie's eye twinkled and
plainly told me that she thought herself the vic-
tor. So she was led back to her cell for a time.
In this experiment no head rest bad been used, and
finding the necessity of such an adjunct, no time
was lost in procuring one with a heavy iron
foot. Next day Bess was marched out,
and again placed in the operating chair.
During the focussing she behaved well—not the
least motion was perceptible ; but when the ground
glass bad been removed and the dark slide inserted
in its place, Bess, who had acquired a knowledge of
the routine of the business, on observing the cap re-
moved from the lens, suddenly threw around her
head with an exclamation concerning " Thir flees
that wur kittlin' her nose." During Bor 9 trials
the same game was played. It was either " thir
flees" that tickled her at the critical moment, or it
was the head-rest that troubled her back neck, or
it was an observation by her that she thought a
side view of her face would look better (accom-
panying the observation with a corresponding
movement), or, when a side view was attempted, a
corresponding movement to the front, with a remark
that, after all, the front view would be the best. I
could stand it no longer; so, after preparing
a plate, I called a couple of constables to come to
my assistance, in order that her head might
be kept steady by force. Having strapped her
arms firmly down by her sides, my assistants
stood behind and held her head and shoulders
as firmly as possible. The plate was exposed;
but, during these five seconds, her face had
undergone a series of contortions so hideous
that I retreated to my dark room considerably crest-
fallen, and, when the result was developed, it
showed a picture so truly extraordinary that lan-
guage would utterly fail to describe it. Bess was
conqueror once more. It now became evident to
me that prisoners were not at all ambitious of
having their portraits taken, and that, seeing so far
as I had gone, both coaxing and force had been
resorted to without success, it now only remained
for me to try what cunning would effect;
for, not only was the governor extremely
anxious to have some prints of the girl
for distribution among some of the other
offices, but, " worse to feelings proud," my
failures in pourtraying a black-eyed demure young
lassie, were the subject of very free comment by my
brother officers, and bets as to my ultimate success
were being extensively made. After some hours'
cogitation, followed by a day's work of a mechanic,
I was again in the field, with my black-eyed
enemy sitting before the camera as innocert-
looking as possible. The camera was un-
capped and standing in its place ; on the top
of it rested my hand carelessly, one finger,
unseen by her, being in contact with a little brass
knob, which very slightly projected from the
top. " Now Bess," says I, " I intend once more
to try and take your portrait ; but, before we begin,
I want to see if you can hold your head steadier
today than you did formerly." Bess, little think-
ing that the focussing had been all adjusted before
she was brought out, and that at that moment
there was a sensitive plate in the camera waiting
only the touch of the finger on the brass knob
aforesaid—which, in reality was a trigger throw-
ing open a secret shutter inside the ca-
mera not dreaming of this arrangement,
Bess sat as steady as a rock. The knob
was pressed, the secret shutter did its
duty; and when the picture was developed it dis-
played a magnificent negative, sharp and clear
Various mechanical and even electrical contrivances
were subsequently brought to bear on the principle
of a secret exposure. Several of these contrivances
answered their purpose most admirably, especially
the electric one, which, by means of a wire passing
up the stand and in contact with an electric mag-
net inside the camera, enabled me to expose the plate
from inside of my dark room. It is now six weeks
since I began operations as just detailed, and I have
modified my original opinion about prisoners object-
ing to the taking of their portraits. Although
there are one or two who—like Bess—sdtrofngthlye
object, I find the generalityuasrelursahtyheßropb7r,utaicufellalrol%yv
andwas apcatuaelmlyevreeci
distinction. For instance,
with a most uncompromising face,
desirous of being "taken off,"
be r
quested that his own clothes might
from the store-room in order that he might be taken
in propria persona. This suggested to me a preg-
nantt-
hint, that for purposes of identification there
was little use of taking gaol
birds in gaol costume ;
and acting on this, and
by holding out as au in-
ducement for good behaviour, the_a
.have succeeded taking their por-
traits.n in their own clothes, hwe
interesting the prisoners to such an extent that
at present there is actually a competition who
should be taken. one most troublesome desperado,
in for a burglary,
has most humbly petitioned that
a copy of his portrait might be sent to his mother,
promising—l. n
the event of complying with his re-
quest—that for the future term of his stay with us
we will not
be troubled with any acts of insubordi-
nation on his part.

Statues of /Wan Ramsay and Professor
Wilson.

For several weeks past workmen have been en-
gaged in excavating for the foundation of the statue
of Allan Ramsay which is to be erected in the north-
east corner of West Princes'-street Gardens at Edin-
burgh.
As it is intended that the statue, together
with that of Professor Wilson,
which is to occupy
the north-west corner of the East Gardens, should
form a group, with the Royal Institution as a centre,
the site has been fixed in a line with that building ;
but, in consequence of the lirfalling some distance
south of the upper terraee walk of the garden, the
statue will have its foundation in the centre of the
slope between the first d second walks—an ar-
rangement which necessitatesan excavation to a consi-
derable depth and masonry of the most substantial
kind. The foundation will be laid 44ft. under the
level of Princes-street, and.il from this depth four
walls of great strengthbe
.carried. up to the
street level, where theywwillbtaelrminadte in a platform
surrounded, by a massive
turrets
eof a quain
Scotch character, with co-belleudet
th at the an•
glee. On the centre of this platform
w pedestalide al
i
will be placed, leaving a space of about 3fet
round. On the north side the platform wi'll be con-
nected with the garden walk by a light round arched
stone bridge. 'the pedestal will have light shafts at
the angles, and three of its sides will be occupied by
bas-relief portraits of General Ramsay, grandson of
the poet ; Mrs. Ramsay, wife of Allan Ramsay' the
painter ; Mrs. Malcolm, sister of General Ramsay,
and wife of Colonel Malcolm ; and Lady Campbell,
another sister of the General. The two latter will
occupy the same panel, and the front panel, in an_
cordanco with a wish expressed by Lady Murray
after her husband's death, will he appropriated to a
of La.(' Murray. .By the intro_
medallion portrait
auction of theso bas reliefs, the historical interestfrom
of
b, much enhancedl;.oyeepte,
the statue will theirdireostntalhs
subordinate positio, they Nvll not detract fr
om the
individuality of the mem.oril.
been designed by, Mr. David Bryce, R.S,A
.? and Mr.
John 6 well, R.S.A:, the sculptor of the
now engaged upon Vie medallions„.....Boo t 8 statue, i 5
In a n .

- .............
WILLS AND BEQUESTS,

(From the Illustrated London News.)
The will of Admiral Sir Henry Hope, of
Hanover-square, was proved in Lork on by his
brother, General Frederick Hope, the sole executor,
the personal property being sworn under £70,000.
Nearly half this sum the Admiral has left to chari-
table institutions, appointing his said brother,
General Hope, residuary legatee, bequeathing to his
brother, Captain Hope, R.N., and to his sister
Catherine some personal remembrances, who, he
states, are amply provided for. There are legacies
left to godchildren, to personal friends and to
his executors. The following are the charitable
bequests :—Church Missionary Society, £4,000 ;
British and Foreign Bibie Society, £4,000,
London City Mission, £4,000 ; Societ
Prcmoting y for
Christianity amongst the Jews, £2,000 ;
Pastoral Aid Society, £2,000 ; Colonial Church,
andilors' Schools, £2,000 Irish Chinch Mission, .E 1,000;
Sa Horne, Wells-street ; London Docks,
£1,000; and to the church in connection with the
Sailors' Home a legacy of £5,000 (which by the
codicil was increased from £1,000). To the Rich-
mond School for the Daughters of Naval Officers,
£1,000; Thames Church Mission, Sailors' Destitute
Asylum, Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, Sailors'
Orphan Girls' School Hampstead, London Church
Extension Aid Institution, to each a legacy of
£5OO. The will is dated 1856, and the
codicil 1860.
Sir Henry married, in 1828, a daughter
of Admiral
It Sawyer, K.C.8., and became a widower the fol-
lowing year, and died at the age of 76: This
gal,
lent officer captured the American ship President
whilst in command of her Majesty's ship Endymio,
attained to the rank of Admiral of the Blue, and
was late Naval Aide-de-Camp to the Queen.
The will of John Labouchere, Esq., of Broome

Hall, near Dorking, Surrey; Portland-place, Maiy.
lebone ; and at Birchin-lane, London, banker, was
proved in the principal registry, on the 6th inst.,
by his relict and Henry Sykes Thornton, Jahn
Deacon, and William Samuel Deacon, &cis., his
partners, the executors end trustees. The personal
property was sworn under £140,000. The testator
was Deputy Lieutenant for Surrey, and died at the
age of sixty-four, having executed his will July 10,
1860, which was attested by I. Tilleard, attorney,
Old Jewry, ar.d I. F. Jones, clerk to Messrs.
Williams, Deacon, and Co. Ho has made a liberal
provision for his relict, and has appointed her resi-
duary legatee of both real and personal estate. To I.is
eldest son he bequeaths £20,000, to his youngest
son £16,000, aril to each of his daughters £B,OOO.
Legacies are left to his executors and to the two
principal clerks of his town and the two principal
clerks of his country departments of his banking
business, as also to his bailiffs and domestic servants.
A sum of £2OO is left for the repairs of the Church
of Capel, Surrey, which he endowed at his own ex-
pense ; the nomination and presentation he leaves to
his relict and trustees. He bequeaths to the St.
Paul's Church for Seamen, Dock-street, White.
chapel, and to the Society for the Belief of Dis-
tressed Widows who apply within one month of
their widowhood, legacies of £lOO each. All legs-
cies to be paid free of duty.

The will of Thomas Powell, Esq., of th 3 Gaer, St.
Woollos, Monmouthshire, was proved in London on
the 7th inst. by the executors and trustees—namely,
Mrs. Anne Powell, the relict ; William Williams,
Esq., of Llantrissant, Glamorganshire ; and Henry
St. John Powell and Walter Powell, D:qrs., the
sons. The testator, who died in March last, exe,
cuted his will the month previous, which is purely
of a family nature. To his wife he has bequeathed
an increased annuity beyond her marriage settle.
meet ; also,lone of his residences. His collieries and
other mines, together with all his estates, real and
personal, he leaves equally amongst his three sons,
having provided liberal portions for his daughters,
—lllustrated London News.

LONDON GAZETTE—Yesterday.

WHITEHALL, OCT. 23.

The Queen has been pleased to constitute and appoint
Major-General Burke Cuppage to be Lieut. •Governor of
the Island of Jersey, in the room of Major. General Sit
Robert Percy Douglas, Bart., resigned.
BOROUGH OF WINDSOR.

---
The Gazette contains the Speaker's warrant for issuing a
new writ for the electing of a member to serve in Par
lia.
went for the borough of Windsor, in the room of George
William Hope, Esq., deceased.

CROWN-OFFICE, OCT. 21.
MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN TILE PRESENT
I ARMAMENT.

Borough of Barnstaple—Thomas Lloyd, of Spark Hill,
near Rirmingham, in the county of Warwick, Esq., in thQ,
room of George Potts, Esq., deceased.

BANKRUPTS
The following are the only bankrupts of commercial int.
portance in the Gazette :
Robert H. Hill, attorney's clerk, Newington
William Leighton, innkeeper, Hull
James Crisp, innkeeper, South Shields
Samuel Brown, silk agent, Macclesfield
Thomas Lewis, printer, Whitechapel
llugh W. Patrick, dentigt, Acton
John Flinn, slate merchant, Pimlico
Edward Smith, builder, Oldswinford
Michael Hickey, grocer, Birmingham
John Banks, farmer, Barkston-ash, Yorkshire
Thomas Knight, grocer, Camberwell
William Brown, builder, Hastings
James Denoon Young, contractor, Chelsea
Disney Dummey, draper, Wednesbury
aßuil aNk eeya,l
hr, oocsei
er ,r runi.
gl ehyt 0 n
Abel Marsh, mason, Sheffield
W
T
Vhimollmas Standeven, millwright, Halifa
James Roper,
Davies,ro puepinha9kl
setre,r,
eN Nrihiii tee
William Hereford George liewetsin, saddler, Cock
trmouth
John Meades, carpenter, Stratford- upon-Avon
BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED,
George S. Frankham, builder, Lambeth
BANKRUPTS.
Reid and AndeSCOTCH rson, wholesale grocers, Glasgow
Samuel Johnston,
jute manufacturer, Glasgow
George Leitch, currier, Elie
Course of tit

Le Exchange—Yesterday.

Amsterdam ........
Ditto
...... 3 Month.s.; 1' 192 11 19i
Rotterdam .......... 11 192 11 19i
Antwerp ..........
.. 25 55 25 60
Brussels ............ 25 55 25 60
Hamburgh .......... 13 81 13 9
Paris .............. Short. 25 222 25 271
Ditto ............ 3 Months, 25 55 25 60
Marseilles .......... 25 55 25 60
Frankfort on Maine.. """ 1191 ma
Vienna ............ _ 11 48 1i 60
Trieste ............ 11 48 11 60
Petersburgh ........ —36 A
Berlin ..............
Madrid
......... ... —48 a
Cadiz
Leghorn — 25 48
65 25 70
Xi Ilan ........ '25 65 25 70
70
Genoa — 25 65 25
Naples
.-- 25 65 25 70
25
Palermo — 25 67i 70
25 70
Messina
52A
Lisbon —52 f
Oporto — 521 £3 17 9
Foreign Gold in Bars (Standard), pc:lo.z.
.............. g 1.- 34
Mexican Dollars
Silver in Bars (Standard) : ............... 314 0.....
South American Doublons ..............

Foreign Mail racket List•

singvavpi
jaaors:ioituvkarti
ahBmea.gi,:amlio.aelia'uretst °,11..a1:1
p:11:::::: **** :\ TIN
1)°
: : 1139:
by
ilrnliriti,:tdpg:efie.lll.
Australia and Mauritius,
viii:smarBenvitia
Brazil and Cape Verds,
Cape of Good Hope, Aoca"---01 s 1., Helena (Jct. 29.
China, Penang, and
ea.' . .N°v.
4'
Falkland Isrands ..
t.h.a.,..p..t0. ............. .u 1.0:20ccecitttv..11.222266627..:*
Ceylon, via S
India (Calcutta), itra. outhatu
Gibraltar, via Sou,d
--
via 3 arsellies . sit 4,8 ,-,
India vct. 27.
and Aden, vi.a. S. ............. ........
Nov.
4,
.......
(Bombay), . vi..: Siouthamnto
lea, by Oct. 21.
isfoarltatu,g.4y.t,
ampton Oct. 25.
Oct 21.
Oporto and Vigo .......... Oct. 28.
Brit. packet Oct. 22,
uN.":.°a;lll.:rnidtish N..A...„1 ...... ..... .
_ by U.S. packet
VV. C. of Africa, made; by Canadian packet Oct. 23.
Bahamas, via New' 'TII, ) and Teneritfe Nov. 10.
Alexia,
....-L on; Oct. 22.
All parts of We;ti .....
....Oct. 29.
California. t,i ttiiessh,
Ctluunidibuiga
.Cnili, Pcru, (
Oct. 29.
1

A Warsaw letter, in the C:as of Cracow, says
" Another body of 300 political prisoners have
left
this city for Siberia. Among them were
several Women, and some of the men were in
chains. Their departure was so sudden, that
their friends had not time to supply them with
the articles indispensable for their long journey.
This is the fourth convoy that has left the city for
Siberia within a fortnight."
Many of the fruit trees in the neighbourhood of
Charleroi are now, for the second time, in full bloom, and
several of the gardens exposed to a southern aspect present
the appearance of the month of May rather than of October,