The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-16
pAGUERRE,s MAGICAL PICTURES.

DAGUERRE's MAGICAL PICTURES.
Mr.. EpIroR Through your valuable paper ]
will give, for the benefit of the public an imper
feet description of the above pictures. was led to
suppose, before l saw them, that they were some
catch-penDy; indeed, there many more who hold
the same opinion. Yielding to the persuasion of
friend, went to them, and think that all per-
sons of taste and refinement ought to avail them
selves of the only opportunity they may have OF
beholdng the grandest specimens of the art in the
world.
THE FIRST PICTURE,
Which is painted on a canvass 90 feet square, repre-
sents the interior of the church St. Ettenne du
M ont in Paris--the hour midday. The execution OF
the perspective painting and general effect Of caro
obscure is beautiful that you cannot conceive that
you are looking upon picture, but every thing con-
spires to make you believe you standing at the
trance and looking up the aisle Of the most magnif-
cent church in France. Every thing appears
large as it does in nature. There no benches
nor pews in the church chairs are used exclusively,
which are scattered all over the aisle. After sufil-
Gent time has elapsed for viewing the picture,
modification of light commences, the daylight gradu-
ally dminishes twilight, and the rays of the
pale moon are streaming gently through the
windows illumning the edihce with its silvery light
The clock tells the hour of midnight, and in the dis
mass is about to be celebrated-now the heavenly
tones of music are heard the air-the part of the
building in which the mass is being said is now filled
with brilliant light, and everywhere within its IN
huence may be seen crowds OF persons, some on
their knees praying, others standing and all the
chairs which were before empty are now occupied
This effect produces holy feeling, and is almost
incline i to fall down and worship with those before
him.
The wonderful effect of double light is pro-
duced on the picture. On the pillars and in the up
per part of the church is the moonlight effect and
the candle-light below. AS soon the music
ceases the lights extngushed, the people disap
pear and the church is silent and alone Daylight
gradually dawns, and the church has the same APP
pearance as when you first t--having undergone
all the notifications of light which actually takes
place in nature during the twenty-four hours.
THE SECOND PICTURE
Represents the Valley of Godau, in Switzerland
On either side of which two mountains upwards
of seven hundred feet high. In the distance is the
lake of Zoug; and three villages occupy the several
parts of the Valley, at the base of the largest noun
tain In the foreground of the picture is large cot
tage, around which trees OF the most luxuriant
growth This Valley was considered the most fertile
spot in Switzerland. You the picture by daylight
effect and one imagine nothing else than that he
is looking out of a window on the most lovely and
romantic landscape A modification of light COM
mences and the daylight is imperceptiby lost in the
embrace of the sable goddess of night-the clouds
appear hot and lvd and there is every indication of
storm-the picture is iumined at intervals by the
broad glare of the lightning-the distant thunder
veiberates through the air now growing louder and
nearer-the rain falls fast and eavy-the storm is
at its height-a terrible crash thunder now fills the
air, and now the storm lulls, the lightning becomes
less vivid the ceases and the heavy clouds break
away revealing the beauteous clothed with her
siIvery garments rejecting her soft rays lowering
clouds and the landscape below. cold shudder pass
es through your frame when you look in the dire con
where The valley stood only few hours ago. The
mountains, during the storm, had crumbled, over
whelmng in their fall the three villages and upwards
of six hundred souls and filling the valley with huge
of rockthe cottage in front alone escapes the
general run-in it you can see candle burning,
which throws its rays number of figures in the
foreground-they are some of those who live in the
vicinity and are looking on appalled, at the awful
spectacle. Gradually the day begins to dawn, the
moon and candle light is lost in the more refugent
of day, and the picture presents the charming and
beautiful Valley of Godau.
THE THIRD PICTURE
Brings to your view the Ducal City of Venice with
its palaces, cathedrals, and hotels of the great-s
grand canal and vessels its custom-house and stores
| and wharves, boats filed with produce are moved
alongside the latter and the whole view seems so ma
tural that it is impossible that any other thought
should occupy your mind than that Venice itself
! stands before YOU change almost imperceptibe
takes place the picture and the MONDAY sof-
tens into the shades of evening, the moons rays
acquire brilancy and force and the beautiful city is
illumined by moonlight the soft rays rest quietly
the silent does and sleeping waters, and the clouds
are sublime beyond description. While you are ad-
nirng the picture, you perceive that the palaces and
hotels being brilliantly Illuminated the boats that
by day light were filled with produce, sc. are now
converted into the most beautifully decorated condo
las, containing Masqueraders in fancy dresses, and
musicians about to embark on the voyage of amuse-
ment, and verify the grand carnival has commenced
and the whole city seems to participate in its gay
cites; soldiers seen in the act of promenading
and the whole of the greatest interest and
cannot fail to repay the spectator an hundred fold fol
the trouble he might take to go and see it. The
nval over the lights die away, and lost in the
coming morn-the figures are no more vsibe-the
rising smiles again the glorious city, and the
silence and beauty which rest it, contrast for
chilly with the revery and confusion of the last hour
These dioramas or magical pictures surpass any
thing of the kind, and one can form conception Of
what he is going to until it bursts upon him in all
the truth and beauty of coloring and perspective.
A VISlTER.