The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-04-26 00:00:00

THE NEW ART.

Half as many places as contended for the honour of giving
birth to Homer, are now contending for that of the invention
or discovery of the new art of producing drawings or pictures,
or both : and certainly the discovery of a productive energy
in nature, heretofore unknown,
No common object to the sight displays :
But what with pleasure Heav'n itself surveys.
For now miracles have ceased, such discoveries and inven-
tions (or revelations, if the phrase may be permitted) are
the means by which Providence discloses new roads to social

happiness.
We scarcely yet know how to denominate this new art of
producing pictures. M. Daguerre, the highly-talented Pa-
risian dioramist, wished, and probably still wishes—to con-
fer on its own name, by academical authority ; meanwhile,
our own countryman, Mr. Talmot, (less ambitious,) has
given to it--or given to that branch of it, which he has ex-
plored, and explained to the Royal Society of London—the
more scientific name of " Photegnie Drawing;" and the
German practitioners call it Heliography. But America,
also, has made some pretensions to the discovery, and we
may possibly soon hear of a transatlantic appellation. Since,
however, sunslight seems to be essential to its successful prac-
tice, we conceive the Sun has, at least, as good a right to in-
sist upon the important " We," as he, who of old blew the
organ-bellows, and upon the same principle.
Who has the best right to be esteemed the original inventor
or discoverer ? is a question we shall not discuss at present,
further than to say, that a letter, published in the Literary
Gazette, claims that distinction for a M. Niepsce' since de-
ceased, but formerly the co-experimentalist of M. Daguerre.
This gentleman seems to have the most satisfactory claims :
but all parties must be heard—perhaps probed—and it may
possibly then appear, that the new art may have been in-
vented in more places than one ; and so nearly at the same
time, that more than one may, with justice, lay claim to the
honour of originality.
In many.respects, but in one more particularly, which has
always been held to be a great academical difficulty—we mean
the art of "fore-shortening"—nature will become a severe
schoolmistress. No unatomical or unacademical fore-short-
enings will occur to the heliographist ; since we know, well,
that nature puts everything correctly in perspective, "and no
mistake." _ _

Wherefore, for the present, and for the gratification of
those of our readers who may also wish to experimentalise,
we make publicly known, that with the concurrence of our
ingenious philosophical countryman, Mr. Talbot, Messrs.
Ackermann & Co. are preparing an easily portable apparatus,
that will enable persons of accurate observation to produce
photogenic drawings. Of which apparatus we submit the
following description and directions for use :
" In offering to the public the following directions for the
practice of photogenic drawing, which may emphatically be
called the New Art, we must claim the indulgence of our

readers for the necessarily imperfect nature of some of the
details ; the art itself is but in its infancy, and until the mode
in which the drawings were made was liberally disclosed by
Mr. Talbot, a Fellow of the Royal Society of London, the
whole subject was involved in mystery. The directions given
for the practice of the art, are founded upon his communica-
tions, with such additional observations as seemed necessary
to make the process intelligible to the unscientific reader.
The useful purposes to which the art may be applied, are, at
present, but ill-defined ; but there is reason to believe, that
future discoveries will render it available in many cases: in
the mean time, we have no hesitation in recommending it to

the ladies as a means by which exact copies may be made of
the most intricate patterns of needlework ; for the accurate
delineation of the leaves and other parts of a plant, and the
representation of many subjec6 of natural history ; the use-
fulness of its first application must be self-evident to all those
who are aware of the tedious labour of drawing an intricate
pattern correctly ; by means of photogenic drawing, the most
elaborate effort of the most skilful female hand, whether it
has been directed to the production of the richest lace, or an
elaborate piece of tambour-work, can be copied in the space of
a few seconds, without the least injury to the delicate fabric.
The application of this art, for the purpose of making botanical
drawings, is likely to become an object of as much scientific
importance to the botanist, as it must be of attraction to the
amateur. The character of many portions of a plant, when
preserved, even with the greatest care, in a herbrarmum, is
always much altered from its original appearance in a state of
nature : by means of the new art, the field botanist, if provided
with a few sheets of photogenic paper and his drawing frame,
may return home after an hours walk in the sun, [sunlight,
or sunshine; nobody walks in the sun, that we know of,]
with many highly finished botanical drawings, on the accuracy
of which not the least doubt can exist. To the entomoligist,
the new offers a ready method of collecting, in a small
compass, and preserving for future inspection and comparison,
correct figures and outlines of the wings, legs, and other parts
of insects, on trifling distinctions in which their specific' and,
frequently, even their generic existence depends. We have,
in the first instance, limited our recommendation of this art to
the purposes we have noticed, from a desire not to mislead our
readers, by inducingthem to attempt to produce effects which
can only be obtained by the greatest skill, constant practice,
and extreme care, combined with the, advantage of expensive
instruments. As the subject expands, and as new discoveries
are made, we shall continue to add fresh materials to this little
tract, which we have thus early laid before the public, to
gratify the curiosity at present excited on the subject, and in
the hope the directions given, will be sufficiently clear to
enable amateurs to practice this pleasing art with success.
TO PREPARE PHOTOGENIC PAPER.

" The paper beinc, cut to the required size, is to be dipped
into a solution of salt in water, in the proportion of half-an-
ounce of salt to half-a-pint of water; let the superfluous
moisture drain off, and then, laying the paper upon a clean
cloth, dab it gently with a napkin, so as to prevent the salt
collecting in one spot more than another. The paper iS now
to be pinned down, by two of its corners, on a drawing-board,
by means of common pins, and one.si4e, washed or wetted
with the photogenic fluid, using the brush prepared for that
purpose, and taking as much care to distribute it equally, as
if you were laying in a sky in a water colour drawing : dry
the paper now as rapidly as you can, at the fire, of course
being cautious not to scorch it. When dry, apply another
wash of the fluid, and again drying it at the fire, the paper
will be fit for use, for most purposes. If when the paper is
exposed to the sun's rays, it should assume an irregular tint,
a very thin extra wash of the fluid will render the colour
uniform, and at the same time somewhat darker. .Should
it be required to make a more sensitive description of paper,
after the first application of the fluid, the solution of salt
should be applied, and the paper dried at the fire ; apply
a second wash of the fluid, and dry it at the fire again ;
employ the salt a third time, dry it, and one more application
of the fluid will when dried, have made the paper extremely
sensitive. If greater sensibility is required, a fourth applica-
tion, and the fluid will effect the purpose. In the next place,
write a number or a letter on the back of each piece of paper,
and cut a narrow slip from the edge of each, marked in a
corresponding manner. Expose these slips to the action of
the daylight, not the sunshine, and notice the order in which
they become dark. Those which are soonest affected by the
light, are the best prepared, and the sheets from which they
were cut, should be prepared for the most particular purposes.
The paper must be kept away from daylight.
CAUTIONS TO BE STRICTLY OBSERVED IN PREPARING AND
USING THE PHOTOGENIC PAPER.

" Ist. Remember, that if the photogenic fluid falls upon any
substance, it will make an indelible black stain, and cannot
even be removed from the hand until the skin peels off. 2d.
Be particularly careful that the paper, when used, is perfectly
dry, or there will be danger of its staining the object laid on
it to copy. If perfectly dry it will not injure the most delicate
piece of lace. 3d. The vessels into which the fluid is poured
must be glass or earthenware, and the brushes must not be
set in tin, nor must metal of any kind come in contact with
the fluid. 4th. Take great care that none of the solution of
salt drops into the fluid ; it would render it turbid, and almost
useless. sth. The paper should be prepared by candlelight.
6th. Immediately after using the brush in the fluid, let it
be well washed in water. 7th. No more of the fluid should
be poured out than can be used at the time, as there is dan-
ger in pouring it back into the bottle, that some trifling por-
tion of salt may be mixed with it, which would render the
liquid turpid. Sth. To avoid the danger of staining the
fingers, or dress, the vessels employed in the process should
be thrown into a basin of water directly they are done with.
We recommend gloves to be worn while the paper is prepared.
TO PRODUCE A PHOTOGENIC DRAWING.

" The following method is applicable to the purpose of ob-
taining copies of leaves of plants and flowers, prints and paint-
ings on glass, wings of insects, sea-weeds, lace, &c. The
apparaus employed to copy the above objects consists of a
wooden frame, like that of a small looking-glass, in which a
plate of clear glass is placed, resting on a rabbet in the usual
manner, over which is a cushion of silk, fixed to the back-
board, and pressed upon the glass, when necessary, in the
usual manner. The glass being downwards, and the back-
board removed, the object to be copied is laid upon it, (the
glass,) and a piece of prepared paper of sufficient size is laid
on this object, the prepared side touching it : over this you
place the cushion and backboard, and force it gently against
the glass, by means of the cross-pieces. When all this is
done, the glazed side of the frame is held opposite the sun,
and the drawing is made in a shorter or longer time, accord-
ing to the brightness of the sunshine, and the goodness of the
prepared paper. When sufficiently darkened, it is to be re-
moved into the shade, and taken out of the frame, to be after-
wards fixed in the manner we shall presently explain.
CAUTIONS IN TAKING A PHOTOGENIC DRAWING BY
TRANSMISSION OF THE SUN'S RAYS.

" Ist. It is absolutely necessary, to the obtainment of a
clear drawing, that the object to be copied should lie close to
the surface of the prepared paper. 2d. It is best to cut the
paper into the requisite sizes by candlelight, and to mark the
back of each piece so that it may be known at once ; for if
there is any delay, the surface undergoes a partial change of
colour, and the drawing is less distinct.
TO FIX THE DRAWINGS. -

" First method.—After the drawing has been made by the
action of the sun's rays, it is to be dipped into the solution
of salt in water ; when taken out, the superfluous moisture
is to be removed, and the paper dried at a fire ; after this it
is but little injured by a partial exposure to the rays of the
sun, and remains unchanged if kept in a portfolio, or only ex •
posed to common daylight. N.B. If the drawing is very
dark, a saturated solution of salt is necessary. • Second me-
thod.—This method fixes the drawing with more certainty,
but requires greater care in its application; instead of the so-
lution of salt a small quantity of iodide of potash is used in
the same manner ; but if it is in the least degree too power-
ful, it attacks the dark part of the drawing and destroys it,
and, if not sufficiently strong, it acts so slightly on it, as to
leave the paper still liable to change on exposure to the light.
To ascertain if it is of the requisite degree of strength, it must
be tried on the edge of the paper on which the drawing is
made ; and if it change the dark parts to a primrose colour,
it is too strong, and must be diluted. A sixth part of the
quantity of iodide in the bottle will be. in general, sufficient
for a wine-glass full of water."—The Probe

TRICKS AT AUCTION.—In a case heard before the Insol-
vent Debtor's Court, a few days ago, the party was a Jew.
He said, at all auctions, where a stranger came forward to
bid, it was a plan, that one of the body of " general dealers"
should outbid him whether the article was worth the money
or not. The articles obtained in this manner was afterwards
sold, and the profit and loss divided amongst them. They
carried, by this mode, all things before them. There scarcely
was ever a sale by auction but a number of Jews attended
and prevented " strangers" from getting a " bargain."
We have the best authority for stating that the report,
which is stated by the Brighton Herald to be " current in
the Brussels circles of ton, that the Queen, who has never
visited the continent, will pay a visit to her august relatives,
the King and Queen of the Belgians, in the course of next
summer," is entirely without foundation. According to
arrangements now in progress, (but nothing definite has been
decided upon) her Majesty meditates a visit to Scotland in
the course of the autumn; but a trip to the continent has
never even been contemplated by the Queen.—Windsor and
EtonJournal.

MANCHESTER—TUESDAY EVENING.
A degree of activity prevails in the turf market, which, it
is to be regretted, is not to be found in some others. It may
be remembered that we placed three horses on Tuesday at
the figure of 6 to 1, for the Chester Cup. One of these,
Harkaway, has improved upon that price ; and, yesterday, a
little bet was laid at 5 to 1, and'half a point more, to upwards
of a score. King Cole has been backed in various sums,
from a hundred downwards ; his party seem resolved to be
as near the " heavy weight" as spirit and money can achieve.
Caravan is offered against at 6 to 1 ; but we think were the
lovers disposed to show fight at half a point beyond that
figure, they :would very soon find customers. Lord Nor-
manhy's mare has been noticed as having come from the
confirmed outside to 8 to 1; but at that period (Friday) 10 to
1 was offered against her. On Saturday, she again was in
high fashion, and, at 8 to 1, was supported for about seventy
pounds, SO to 10 was booked last night, and a point less dur-
ing the present day. The weight of business in the general
circles of speculation has been, for the past few days, with
these four candidates for the important event; and it may in
truth be added, all parties have shown that they do not ap-
prehend defeat ; for they lay out money with a profuseness
not occurring on every race. Next to these horses stands
Van Buren ; but his friends are rather lukewarm ; 11 to 1
goes " a begging." They have certainly mustered courage
to lay 200 to 100 he beats Mr. Allen's horse Percy, with the
pretty four-year-old weight of 7st. Sibs. Of this horse (the
property of a fellow-townsman), it may be further added,
that he is doing uncommonly well, and the party think his
chance in the face of the cracks not to be despised. Sir
Thomas Stanley's horse on Monday night stood at 100 to 7,
the top offer ; at noon yesterday it was laid at 6 ; but the
party did not seem ?mare how the market run ; however, they
have not lost anything ; for at night the price was repeated,
and, we believe, in one instance it was laid to 5. This even-
ing, we learn that, at Liverpool yesterday, the baronet's
horse was not so much on " the go" as here, for 14 to 1 would
willingly have been pencilled down.
Previous to giving the quotations of a market fluctuating
with almost every other post, we may observe that, since our
last figures, the extinguisher has, beyond all doubt, been put
upon lon's friends. After a number of engagements of an
outre character, the death-blow was given by one gentleman,
long a staunch friend of lon's,
,receiving a crown to return
the sum of £5OO, if he runs for the cup. This dashes away,
we should say, all hope for his numerous friends.

THE CHESTER CUP.
51 to 1 agst Mr. Ferguson's Harkaway (tk)
6to 1 „ Mr. Copeland's King Cole (tk)
6to 1 „ Captain Berkeley's Caravan (off)
7to 1 „ Lord Normanby's Gipsey (tk)
11/to 1 „ Captain Heale7's Van Buren (off)
18 to 1 „ Sir T. Stanley s Cowboy (off)
20 to 1 „ Lord Westminster's Cardinal Puff (off freely
20 to 1 „ Lord de Tabley names Zillah (tk)
20 to 1 „ Mr. Griffith's Lugwardine (tk)
20 to 1 „ Lord Allan's Percy.
25 to 1 „ Lord Westminster's Sir Ralph (tk.)
50 to 1 „ Mr. Mostyn na. Piccotte (tk)
50 to 1 „ Mr. Mark Browne's Hopeful (tk)
6to 5 the field v. three. _ _

Modesty is sans friends ; it is said she goes to Gorhambury,
near St. Alban's, to run on the 7th; the weight being more
favourable.
THE DERBY.-6 to 1 agst CHsar (offered, take 7;)7 to 1
Dragoman (offered-8 taken this morning '.) Bto 1 The Cor-
sair (offered ;) 20 to 1 Sleight-of-Hand (backed since Satur-
day for a large stun at 20 to 1, by an influential gentleman,
and this evening to win about £7OO ;) 20 to 1 Bulwark (taken
to-day freely ;) 30 to 1 Ilderim (taken;) 100 to 3 Camellino
(taken to-day freely ;) 50 to 1 Montreal taken ;) 30 to 1
!Ether (taken freely;) 600 to 6. Meunier (taken;) 100 to 1
King of Kelton (taken.)
THE OAKS.—We are not aware of any betting.