Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-05-29
The HilIOtYpe.

This is a name given TO the new Daguerrean art of
ocoring pictures exactly like the objects intended
be represented. The discoverer is Mr.. l.. l.. Hill
who resides at Westkill behind the Catskl noun
tains, in Green county, N. Y. He was formerly
clergyman, but on account of bronchial affection,
was compelled to leave the pulpit, and devote him
self to other pursuits. He chose that of daguerreo-
typing and has devoted his entire time and attention
since TO its study and improvement. MIR. Hill has
discovered a compound which he one day uneXpect-
eddy formed, and which, he says, is, TO him, nom
descript, though he had made the science of chem
istry his study for years. 1t is simply and easily
produced, but not by any law stated in the large
number Of chemical works with which he is famil-
lar.
On the I4th of February last, Mr.. Hill had forty
five specimens of the Hillotype, of the character of
which some idea may be formed from his description
in a communication to the Photographic Art Jour-
nal, published in New York, which we quote as fol-
lows:
Gel. A view containing red house, green grass,
and foliage the wood color of the trees several
of different shades of red and brindle colored gar
ments on clothes line, blue sky, and faint blue of
the atmosphere, intervening between the camera and
the distant mountains, very delicately spread over
the picture as if by the hand OF fairy artist.
2. sunset scene, in which the play of colors up
on the clouds is impressed with truthfulnesS and
gorgeous beauty which cannot describe.
Several portraits, in which have the true COM
pexion of the skin, the rosy cheeks and lips, blue
and hazel eyes, auburn, brown and sandy hair, and
every color of the drapery. Changeable silk is Civ
en- in all its fine blendngs of colors and delicate
richness of hues. not only get red, blue orange,
violet, &c. but their various tnts. The whole i'm
preston, including the lights and shades, is far
brilliant, round and mellow than the most supurb da-
gucrrean image have ever seen''
! He adds have most exquisite type Of my lit
Tie girl, Gone year old taken in the act of crying
the plate not having been exposed full second. AT
the same time my light required fifteen seconds for
daguerreotype This picture has caught the express
ion perfectly, both CT the eye and the whole face.
On one cheek is bright tear drop, and the col
or showing through ii much deeper than the sur
rounding parts; which latter suppose, is owing to
the refracterive action of the fuid.''
The only difficulty experienced by Mr.. Hill is i'm
the management of the pure yellow tints, which he
says does not comport with the other rays. yell
low appears on the plate of buff color. Yet look
ing at these Hillotypes few will be sensible of this
deficiency.
In reading these very striking and bewitching de-
scriptions feels natural sceptcism, remember
ing that they come from the dscoverer hlmself nor
is the doubt entirely dispelled by the remembrance
of his clerical character. We can appreciate the
force and binding power of enthusiasm, without
suspecting the truth of the enthusiast Such scepti-
cIsm must confess to having ourselves felt being
rather disposed to fancy that Mr.. Hill has been delu-
ded by unusual iridescent effects his plates
than that he had discovered mode by the interven-
ton Of any one chemical re-agent, single or COM
pound, old new, of fixing upon them the fleeing
and unsubstantal hues Of nature. Scientific can
bestunderstand the truly wonderful character of such
an invention. Considering all preconceived
knowledge and ideas, it is marvel far beyond the
miracles of the photograph and the daguerreotype.
1t happens, however, that there is corroborave
timony in the case; and learn from distinguished
daguerreotypist Of this city who has visited Westkll
and seen the specimens, that there is exaggera-
ton in Mr.. Hills account and that the Hoypes in
all respects come up to bis descriptions. They are
such pictures we see, full of natures own magic
beauty, on the ground glass of the camera