The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-04-02
From the Philadelphia North American
THE HILLOTYPE,


THE HILLOTYPE.
In the last number Of the Photographic
Art Journal-a new periodical published
in New York, under the editorial charge
of Henry II. Smelling, author of well
known work on Photography-we find a
communication from Mr.. Hill, giving a
somewhat more extended account of his
discovery than that which we quoted from
the Daguerrean Journal As the discov-
cry is in all respects a wonderful one, des-
tined, as may bejudged, to produce pro-
found impression, equal TO that originally
excited by Daguerre's first exhibition of his
sun-pictures, the public will read with in.
terest everything calculated to throw fur.
ther light on the subject.
And, first, as we learn, Mr.. L. l.. Hill,
the discoverer-who resides in the seclud.
ed village of Westklll, behind the Catskll
mountains, in Greene county, New York
is, or was, a clergyman, who was compel
led, some years since, like Headley, the
author, TO abandon the pulpit in conse-
quence of some severe bronchial affection
by which he was incapacitated. Seeing
at first amusement in the daguerreotype
art, he afterwards adopted it as probes.
sion, pursuing it principally or altogether
in the rural districts Of the Empire State,
and only making himself known to the
world by a "Treatse on the Daguerreo.
type" Of which he is the author This,
with the facts already mentioned, that he
commenced experimenting for colored
daguerreotypes some two years ago, and
obtained his first successful results only a
few months since: and the further circum-
stance very frankly mentioned by him in
his communication to the Daguerrean Art
Journal, that he is "a poor man." who
needs the compensation, which he is cer-
tain to obtain for his brilliant discovery
is all we have been able to learn person.
ally of man whose name is hereafter
destined TO attract unusual attention.
In regard to the secret Of his discovery,
it is not to be supposed we can CLEAN any
information from his published letters, or
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 or
item shall ever he communicated until |
am made perfectly sure of a suitable com.
pensation." All that he has divulged is
that the mystery is dependent on the new
and "singular compound" which he, one
day, Unexpectedly formed, and as unex.
pecledly found to be the grand arcanum
and philosophers stone, Of which he had
been so long in quiet. OF this he gives
the following account:
"The compound above referred 10. is,
to me, nondescript, though have made
the science of chemistry my study for
years. That it is a new substance, or
combination OF substances. am postive;
and this is all know concerning it. 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 his communication
Feb. 4th--Mr. Hill had forty-fve speci.
mems of the Hllotype, of the character Of
which some idea may be formed from his
description, which we quote, as follows:
81. A view containing q red house,
green grass and foliage, the wood color OF
the trees, several COWS of different shades
of red and brindle, colored garments on
clothes line, blue sky and the faint blue Of
the atmosphere, intervening between the
camera and the distant mountains, very del
icately spread over the picture as if by the
hand of fairy artist.
"2. sunset scene, in which the play
of colors upon the clouds is impressed
with truthfulness and gorgeous beauty
which cannot describe"
"3. Several portraits, in which | have
the true complexion Of the skin, the rosy
cheeks and lips, blue and hazle eyes, au-
burn, brown, and sandy hair, and every
color OF the drapery. Changeable silk is
given in all its fine bendings Of colors, and
delicate richness OF hues. | not only get
red, blue, orange, violet, &C., but their
various tints. The whole impression, in
cluding the lights and shades, is far more
brilliant, round, and mellow than the most
superb daguerrean image have ever
seen,"
He adds;
81 have most exquisite type Of my lit
! lie girl, Zone year old,) taken in the act Of