The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-06-12


persons Of accurate observation 10 produce
photogenic drawings. OF which apparatus
we submit the following descriptions and d.
reciions for use:
.In Offering 10 the public the following
directions for the practice oil Photogenlc draw
ing, which may emphatcaily be called the
.Mw art, we must claim the indulgence OF
our readers for the necessarily imperfect ma
ture Of some Of the details the art itself is
but in its infancy, and until the mode in which
the drawings were made was literally dis
closed by Mr.. Talbot, Fellow Of the Royal
Society Of London, the whole subject was in
volsed in mystery. The directions given for
the practice Of the art, are founded upon his
communications, with such additional obser-
yations as seemed necessary to make the
process Ineligible to the unscientific reader.
The useful purposes TO which the art may 90
applied, arc, at present, but ill-dehned ou'
there is reason to believe. that future DISCO
veries will render il available in many cases
in the meantime, we have no hesitation IN
recommending il to the ladies as means by
which exact copies may be made OF the most
intricate patterns of needlework; Tor the ac-
curale delineaiion Of the leaves and other
parts of plant, and the representation OF
many subjects of natural history: the useful
ness of It's first application must be seli-evi-
dent to all those who are aware oil the tedious
labor Of drawing an Intricate pattern correctly;
by means Of photogenic drawing, the most
elaborate effort Of the most sklllul female
hand, whether il has been directed 10 the pro-
duction Of the richest lace, or an elaborate
piece OF tambour work, can be copied in
the space Of few seconds, without the least
injury 10 the delicate fabric. The applica-
ton Of this art, for the purpose OF making bo-
tanical drawings, is likely 10 become an object
OF as much scientific importance TO the bota-
mist, as II must be of attraction TO the amateur.
The character Of many portions of plant,
when preserved, even with the greatest care,
in a hecbareum, is always much altered from
its original appearance, in state Of nature
by means Of the new art, the field botanist,
il provided with a few sheets the photogenic
paper and his drawing frame, may re,urn
home after an hours walk in the sun, (sun-
light, 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 en-.
the new art offers ready method
of collecting in small compass, and presery-
ing for future inspection and comparison, cor
rect figures and outlines Of the wings, legs,
aud other parts of insects, on trfng distlnc-
tons in which their specific, and, frequently,
even their generic existence depends. We
have, in the first instance, limited our recon-
Of this art to the purpose we have
noticed, from desire not to mislead our
readers, BY inducing them to produce effects
oh ul,y he al k,,t he, toSt
skill, constant practice, and exteme care,
combined with the advantage OF expensive in
s,ruments. AS the subject expands, and as
new discoveries are made, we shall continue
10 add fresh materials to this little tract, which
we have thus early laid before the public, to
crafty the curiosity at present excited on the
subject, and in the hope The directions given,
will be sufficiently clear to enable amateurs TO
practise this pleasing art with success.
To prepare Photogenic Paper.
The paper being cut to the required size,
is to be dipped into solution Of salt water, in
the proportion Of half an ounce of salt to half
a pint of water. Let the superfuous mois-
lures drain of, and then, laying the paper upon
a cloth. dub it gently with 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 drawing
board, by means Of common pins, and one
side washed or wetted with the photogenc
fluid, using the brush prepared for that pur-
pose, and taking as mhch care to distribute it
equally, as If you were laying in sky in
water color drawing dry the paper now as
rapidly rs you can at the fire, Of course being
cautious not to scorch IT, When dry, apply
another wash Of the fluid, and again dry il at
the fire, the paper will be fit for use, for most
purposes. Ii when the paper is exposed to
the suns rays, it should assume an irregular
tint, very thin extra wash of the fluid will
render the color uniform, and at the same
time, somewhat darker. Should il be required
to make more sensitive description Of paper,
after the FIST application Of the fluid, the soIu-
ton Of salt should be applied, and the paper
dried at the fire: apply second wash Of the
faid, and dry it at the fire again employ the
salt third time, dry it, and one more appli-
cation OF the fluid will, when dried, have made
the paper extremely sensitive. If greater SEN
sibility is required, u fourth application, and
the fluid will effect the purpose In the next
place, write number or letter on the back
OF each piece Of paper, and cut narrow slip
from the edge OF each, marked in cores
ponding 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.
list. Remember, that if the photegenic
fluid falls upon any substance, it will make an
indelible black STAN. and cannot even be re-
moved from the hand until the skin peels off
ID BE particularly careful that the paper,
when used. is perfectly dry, or there will be
danger OF its staining the object laid on II to