The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-29
The HtlIotvpe.

der the editorial charge Of Henry II. Smelling, au
thor fawell- known work on photography-we fine
| a communication from Mr.. Hill, giving sofncwha
| more extended account Of his discovery than tina
| which we quoted from in the Daguerrean Journal
As the discovery is ia all respects wonderful one
destined, may be judged TO produce a prof,nnc
impression, equal to that originally excited by Da
queries first exhibition OF his pictures the pub
lie will read with interest every thing calculated te
throw further light on the subject.
And first, as learn, Mr.. l.. l.. Hill, the dis
coverer--who resides in the secluded village o.
Westkill, behind the Catskill mountains, in Greene
| county New York-is, or was, clergyman, who
was compelled, some years since, like Hcadlcy
the author, TO abandon the pulpit in consequence Of
some severe bronchial affection by which he was
inc apacitated. Seeking at first amusement in the
| daguerreotype art, he afterwards adopted IT az
profession, pursuing principally or altogether IN
the rural districts Of the Empire State, and only
making himself known to the world by "Treatise
on the Daguerreotype," of which he = The author.
| This-with the facts already mentioned, that he
commenced experimenting for colored daguerreo.
| types some two years ago, and obtained his first
| successful results only a few months since; and
| the further circumstance very frankly mentioned
| by him in his communication to the Dag. Art
Jour, that he is ga poor man." whe needs the
compensation which be is certain to obtain for his
brilliant discovery--is all we have been able to
learn personally OF man whose name is hereafter
destined to attract unusual attention.
In regard to the secret Of his discovery is not
to be supposed that VIC CLEAN any information
from his published letters, that the world will be
favored with any, until he has taken all the steps
requisite to secure the enjoyment OF his invention
"My wife and myself Alone" says he "know the
process. and not scrap item shall ever be COM
municated until am made perfectly sure of a suit
able compensation" All that he has divuiged is,
that the mystery is dependent on the new and "sn
gular compound which he, ono day, unexpected
ly formed, and ms Unexpectedly found to be the
grand arcanum and philosophers stone, of which
he had been so long in quest. Oh this he gives the
following account:
Hbc cAr md nh -
dcscript, though have made the science of chem
stry my study for years That 1t IL new SUD-
stance or combination Of substances, am positive
and this 10 all know concerning II. 1t is simply
and easily produced, but not by any law stated in
the large number of chemical works with which
am familiar. Doubtless, however, correct and
thorough analysis will determine its nature"
At the date of hrs communication-Febru
4-Mr. Hill had forty five specimens OF the Hiio-
type, of the character Of which some idea may be
formed from his description, which we quote, as
follows:
al. A view containing red house, green grass,
and foliage, the wood color Of the trees, several
COWS of different shades of red and brindle, colored
garments on a clothes-linc, blue sky and the faint
blue Of the atmosphere, intervening between the
camera and the distant mountains, very dclicately
spread the picture as if by the hand OF fairy
artist.
o2. A sunaet scene, in which the play Of colors
upon the clouds il impressed with truthfulness and
gorgeous beauty which cannot describe.
80. Several portraits, in which have the true
complexion of the skin, the rosy checks and lips,
blue and hazel eyes, auburn, brown, and sandy
silk is given in all its fine blendings of coors and
delicate richness of hues. not only get red, blue,
orange, violet. &C., but their various tints, The
whole impression, including the lights and shades,
il far more brilliant, round, and mellow than the
most superb daguerrean image have ever seen."
He adds:
al have a most exquisite type OF my little girl,
Conc year Old taken in the act OF crying, the plate
No.; hoov Ocad fllll
same time my light required fifteen seconds Tor a
daguerrcotype This picture has caught the ex-
preston perfectly, both Of the eye and whole face
On one cheek is seen bright tcar-drop, and the
color showing through it much deeper than the
surrounding parts; which latter, suppose, is ow-
ing to the refractive action of the fluid"
In reading these very striking and bcwitching
descriptions, one feels natural scepticsm, re-
mcmbering that they come from the discoverer
himself; nor il the doubt entirely dispclcd by the
remembrance of his clerical character. We can
appreciate the force and binding power OF cnthu-
sasm, without suspecting the truth OF the enthusi
nst Such ecepticism we must confess to having
ourselves felt being rather disposed to fancy that
Mr.. Hill had been deuded by some unusual ride
scent effects on his plates than that he had dis-
covered mode, by the Intervention OF any one
chemical reagent, single or compound, old or new,
Of fixing upon them the fleeing and unsubstantiai
HUGS Of nature. Scientific men can best understand
the truly wonderful character of such an invention
Considering all preconceived knowledge and
dens it ia a marvel far beyond the miracles oil the
photograph and the daguerrcotype. II happens,
however, that there is corroborativc testimony In
the case; and learn, from n distinguished da-
guerrcotypist of this city, who has visited West
Kill and seen the specimens, that there ia no cxag-
geraton in Mr. Hills account, and that the Hillo-
types in all respects come up to his descriptions.
They arc such pictures we sec, full OF natures
own magic beauty, on the ground glass oil the ca
mera
We must add that Mr.. Hill has experienced, and
still experiences, me dificultyti is the only one
hap
says, do not comport with the other rays. yell
low appears on the plate as a buff color ihis, wo
must believe, cannot but reduce the brillancy OF
the greens, oranges, and other hucs which are
compounded of yellow. Bright yellow pigments,
however, are very sparingly used, and often en-
trely discarded, by the best painters in their pic
lures, which gain, rather than loac, by their alb
scncc and we are informed, by the intelligent da-
referred to- that the defect ia not felt
scarcely thought of, in the HillotyPes: According
to him. no one can look at them and be sensible OF
a deficiency.
interest; and great will DO the impotence and cx-
pectation with which the world will await the
of the curtain that now conccnls from
view the new pictures and the mystery.
DEATH OF MAJOR NoAH.-Ths event has been
anticipated for several weeks; and on Saturday
night, at halfpast eleven o'clock, he breathcd his
last.
The great length of time during which Major
Noah was connected with the prcss of this city, has
rendered his name familiar to our whole country.
and superscdes the necessity OF any obituary oil
mere words. Like all who are connected with the
press in country, the errors of Major Noah
for he was human-arc more widely known than
his virtues But VIC, who knew him well. can bear
witness that kinder heart never beat IN the breast
of man; and that the kindness of his nature ex-
posed him to the designs Of more cunning and less
scrupulous men. He never saw distress that he did
not seek to relieve III and the great aim OF his life
was to inculcate bcnevolence, and to induce care
for the masses. His errors were all of the head
while hs virtues sprang spontaneously from the
heart, and will cause many tear to be dropped TO
his mcmory.-N. Y. Courier and Enquirer, 24M.
IMPORTANT POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH CAM
ADA-We mentioned, a few day since, that the
Hon. James Morris, the Postmaster General of
Canada, was at Washington, negotiating postal
arrangement with Postmaster General Hall, in
reference to the mail arrangements between the
limited Statcs and Canada. IL affords us great