, 1840-05-02
THE D.euERRorYpE.-The discoveries of

science uecome daily more amazing. A
crowd of men Of talent. aciuated by the
noblest motives, are filling the civilized
world with the results Of their researches,
penetrating into the bowels of the earth,
soaring through immitable space, reducing
even light TO their control, and carrying their
Investigations into the most secret recesses
of nature.
The establishment which filled the public,
scarcely a twelvemonth since, when it was
announced in the English and Paris papers,
that means had been discovered of paint
ing objects through the agency Of that light
alone, may be better imagined than desert
bed. Wonier was in every look; and ex.
pressiOns OF amazement on every tongue. At
first, even our most scientific men discred-
tied the account; but when it was re-asserted
more explicitly, anG the specimens of this
wonderful art made public, every feeling gave
way to those Of wonder and delight. The
triumph of genius was even exaggerated, and
the art Of engraving pronounced to be
supplanted. The plants, acted on in the
Daguerrotype, were said to be able to give
impressions upon paper; and thus the labor
Of months was confined to the process Of a
moment. These aGticipations exist no lon
ger, or only in the eyes of %visionaries: but
the wonderful results of the discovery are
still sufficient to astonish all.
The Daguerrotype we believe. has never
been described IN a public print, and few.
even of our educated citizens, understand
lis powers. But science should not be locked
up; the day for exclusive learning has gone
nv; and i, Is the boast, as it should be the
object al the penny press. to bring down
n"wledue to the mass. We shall therefore
describe the manner in which this singular
discovery acts.
The camera obscura is an early discovery.
Any one can reduce it to practice ty
closing dark room. and boring a small auger
hole in the widow shutter, when the objects
Immediately opposite TO the house will be
found beautifully painted in an inverted
picture OF the wall over against the easement.
Those acquainted with the theory of light
and colors need no explanation of this phe.
nomenon: our space will not permit US to
describe its Causes to those ignorant Of them.
From the camera obscurd however, arose the
notion OF the Daguerrotype. j, was evident
that u! the fleeing representation upon the
screen OF the camera obscura could be
thrown upon something which would retain
the picture. a great triumph in the arts
would be achieved. Ii became the aim con-
sequentlv, Of men of science to discover a
metal which, while it should be acted upon
by light, should be totally unimpaired by
darkness: that Is. one which would be affected
bv the lights OF the camera without Welding
in any way TO the shadows. This met
was finally discovered: thence it was but a
step to the Daguerrotype. 1t was found
that a plate of silver, covered with iodine,
gave a lasting impression Of the camera as
in dgua tint.
To take Il picture in this wonderful in.tru-
meni, 1t is FIRST necessary TO prepare the
plates. These, to save expense. are COM
posed Of copper, plated with silver, and COW
cred with iodine. The greatest care, how
ever, is necessary with regard to them, as
the moment they are coated with the iodine,
become capable Of taking impressions,
and unless instantly placed in darkness,
reflect the first objects which strike their
The proper method is to enclose
them in boxes, lined with dark velvet, with
a sliding door beneath by which they can
easily be dropped into the camera.
The plates being prepared, a view is to be
and the lens Of The camera fixed.
The plate as then sIoped beneath the focus
Of the camera, and allowed to remain a mo-
or two in thar position. When remov-
ed from the lens, however, no picture is as
yet discernable; but to bring it out clearly
process is resorted to.
The plate is removed, and placed above
boiling mercury; for the action of the fumes
upon the surfnce is necessary To complete
he process. The effect of this is beautiful.
As the clowdy fumes roll up along the
ACE of the silvery plate the picture starts
nto life, with magic like that Of a landscape
rom which the morning mists are breaking
AWAY.
The process ever yet is incomplete. The
plate soon becomes furnished. iurnes of a
yellow, and finally of a deep purple.
q. however, il is immersed in salt water it
will retain its brillaincy.
TIE picture can be seen most clearly If
'laced opposite to some dark body. for as
he light, whenever it falls, encrusts the
and the shadows leave it in its original