The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-04-08
DaguerrcOtypcs and Dasuer-
reOtypinE. '

recent origin, but was known to the
ancients in various ways, though it was
applied only by the priests for the pur-
pose of deception. Its application to,
its present purpose was first made within
comparatively recent date. That
branch of the art familiarly known as
daguerreotyping, was discovered nearly
simultaneously by Messrs. Nepiece and
Daguerre, in the year 1888, and was
bought by the French government, who
gave Daguerre premium of $l,250,
Nepiece $500, per annum, and nobly
given to the world, untrammeled by
monopoly. No manner of proceeding
could have done more for the advance
ment of the art, and the world cannot
but be grateful for an act of such gen
erosity. w ;H tee .t0'aro1
The art, as then known, was but a
mere nothing compared with its present
perfection. The proofs obtained by
Daguerre were but faint shadows of out
door views, which could only be seen in
one. particular position, yet this was the
commencement of this now beautiful
art. ,,.. n, s
The idea of taking portraits by means
of this discovery was first suggested by
our countryman, Professor Morse, of
telegraphic fame, who was in France at
the time when the process was first pub
lished, and who visited Daguerre for the
purpose of examining his ''sun-pictures."
The light required to make an impress
sion was so strong that it was necessary
to place the sitters in the direct rays of
the sun, and consequently the portraits
were taken with the eyes closed.
Could any one have forescen the pres
ent perfection of the art, the mstanta-
ncous action of the light upon the plate
the soft mellow clearness of the shades
the distinctness of the outlines OF even
the minutest part of the picture, and the
perfect life-like expression which char
acterize a dagurreotope of the present
day-he would have been considered an
enthusiast. But Daguerre lived to see
his fondest hopes more than realized.
The improvements in the process
since that time have been so numerous
that they coull not be described except
in large volume.
The modus opcrandi Of the art is thus
A silver plate-those used now have
copper backs to make them come cheap
er-is first cleaned with rotten-stone
and acid, and then polished. This par
. of the process needs great care, for the
least particle of foreign matter left upor
the surface of the plate will effectually
spoil the picture. After polishing, thu
plate is placed over the fumes Of iodine
which gives it a sensitive coating o
iodidc of silver; then it is exposed t.
the vapor of " CHEMICAL" " "quick,
or " sensitive, Various names applies
to composition which has bromine TO
its principle constituent-which makes
still more sensitive and givesa much bet
ter appearance to the impression. Thi
must be performed in the dark, as tn
least light upon the plate destroys it
8 sensativeness. The plate is now read
: for exposure.in the camera, or as it
commonly called " sitting" All VIII
e have ever been present when daguer
. reotype has been taken, know how thi
is done. Much of the beauty Of th
6 picture depends upon the taste of th
artist in this process. IF the previou
processes are performed with all .possibl
u perfection, yet the picture is spoiled b
an uneasy, stiff position, or by a wrou
IS arrangement Of the shadows on the face
lAftcr remaining in tho camera suff