Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1856-03-13
Madison Correspondence.


Eds Trl5. e. Tcl.
MADISON March /, 1856.
This day which common consent dnd the almanac
desgnates tie first day of Spring, although by nc
means peculiarly genial is at least significant of the
passing away OF the season of fierce winds pinch
ing frosts of snow and and all their accompanying
dscomforts; and the approach of that of buds and
blossoms, and fruits and hgryests, and active life and
general geniality. We turn moment then from the
DUH details of legislation fit only for the cIills and
conservative influences of Winter. to something moro
congcn;al with the Inspiration of the first day OF
Spring.
And what more congenial than pictures which
whether the results Of the imaginings of genius
wrought out by cunning hands, or the glance of Inc
sun, yet but limitations of the beauty and excel
lencc of Nature. This brings plump to the mid
die Of the Daguerrean Rooms of Johnson & Fuller, Of
this city, where find all sides pictures of all kinds
representing every style of the art of Sun Painting
To me portraits are the most interesting of all pic
lures, and particularly portraits of those with whom
we are acquainted to the excellence of is added
the thought which springs from each well remember
cd lineament l apprehend there is scarcely man
of any note in the State, who is not here represented
by !" counterfeit presentment" served up plates
of glass copper, otherwise. If had time might
enter into dsquisition the remarkable improve
ments in this art from the time when pictures were
dim and ndstinct that it took tco persons to dis
tinguish one picture up to this moment, when they
can bemade in such bold relief on the plate to
like statuary, but have not time. Photography is
among the latest improvements, and at present seems
the most popular for the reason, suppose that while
it gives the portrait with great fidelity, and without
any blint " glare Of background, it enables them
to be multiplied indefinitely at small expense BY
this mode picture is first taken prepared plate
of glass, by the usual camera. On this plate it
appears dimly and indistinctly. piece of paper is
prepared by chemical process, and laid against this
glass plate. The plate then subjected to the action
of the SUMS light for brief time, when is deposited
upon the prepared paper, in distinct indeed almost
friaS dlstinctncss, the portrait which appeared so
dimly'o the glass plate And from this glass plate
understand can these photographs be indefinitely
multiplied After being thus taken they can be paint
ed, when we have all the beauty of painting with
the fidelity of Daguerreotype Messrs. johnson &
Fuller employ Theodore Lund an excellent artist in
this department.
But what more particularly led me to visit this IN
sttution was the information that book containing
the portraits Of the old pioneers of the State was
BONG prepared. Having myself missed being an
odd pioneer only by year or such matter III con
nection with the fact that there are few or none of
them with whom am not personally acquainted, l
felt something of an interest to examine the work.
BY list in the room learned that some So persons
have agreed to pay 500 each for morocco bound
book for EACH containing not less than 30 portraits
of early pioneers which order this firm is engag
cd III filling The book was partially filled, but re-
cognlzed many familiar faces. OF course Kenosha
being among the earliest settled places in the State
would not be without her representatives. Judge
H. Is there rs smiling and looking as agreeable as
if the Supreme Court had just decided in favor OF
Barstow, or new continent Of fine lands had been
discovered. George s w. is also there look
ing bland, bald, and bouignant But one Erdu.
pioneer | understand, is 10 be permitted among
the number, showing that whatever virtues our
pioneer fathers might have possessed, gallantry
was not among tnem. This favored repreSgn-
tative of the better sex, | am glad to saw, very
properly halls from our city, and the first
several letters of her name are Mrs w s.
Ss-***. kenosha could not be better represent
ted either for her pioneers" or for her hand
some active, intelligent, wde-awake Matrons
Mrs ). though BY no means an aged lady or a
lady of a certain" age, is among the very old
est pioneers OF the state, her first appearance be-
ing contemporary with her birth, which latter
event is supposed to have taken place at a very
carly period of her life. There is a proprcty in
gracng the books with her portrait, and | am
sure it would have detractcd none from its in
terest. if a few moro OF the same sort had found
a place in it, Sandwched between a couple Of
the white-headed knotty faced pioneers of the
Black Hawk war, this single portrait looks like
A rose i'll December
But | must close this letter with the sugges-
ton that any ofour people. any other people
" no visit Madison viii be able to spend an hour
more or less very pleasantly, in the gallery Of
Johnson * Fuller, agreeable gentlemen and ex-
cellent artists. 5.