The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-10-21
illustrated Calling Csrsis.

From tho London News.
The calling card was agreat invention.
Ii is carcely possible TO enumerate the ben.
etits We owe to it, by "lcaving u card We
escape the bore Of dull visit. by hand.
ing our card TO q stupid servant We escape
the torture Of hearing our name manglesi
Dueling almost belongs TO the past but
when gentleman gave his card or asked
for the card Of another. that practice
Burke might have said--by losing all its TO-
rocity lost halt its evil
The tasteful and enterprising proprietors
ofthe rapeterie Marion" in Regent street
have added finishing grace to the calling
card They have elevated il from being y
mere social convenience into being an Gsthc-
tioal grace Of life. by the aid of photo.
graghy and tho engraver they have substitu.
ted the very e0ig,es Of the owners Of the
calling card" Tor the mere letters that form
his name. Your friend may thus lin the
light Of his c0untenancc upon you. even
though you should be ~ unfortunate ~ 10
be from hone when he calls.
The idea is pretty one, aud susceptible
u
way. For example, the advent Of little
stranger might be announced by enclosing
= tiny card with miniature Of baby in It's
christening cap Then. how much more
graceful il would he 10 distribute, In those
envelops which after marriage are waited
on the wings Of the post over the land, In.
stead Of two squares Of paper with the bri les
and bridegro0ms names, "A card Bearing
their bust portraits in two ovals conjoincd
by o true overs knot And how crafty
ing il would be 10 receive, instead OF black
edged litographed note the card Of the dear
deceased bearing the lineaments stamped by
the unerring aid Of the photographer, The
story OF three stages Of mans life, his hap
tism. marriage and death, might be told IN
three l.llipatian pages Of millboard. An
illustrated calling card, with 7. L. &. in
the corner, would modify nh old adage, aud
teach US TO think of the absent friend us not
host to sight, though 10 memory dear.
A number Of these illustrated " calling
cards are lying on the table at which we
write. They are something more than mere
toys Of freaks OF fashion. Mcssrs. Morton
have entrusted their execution TO the skill
full photographer, Mr.. Herbert Watkins
Mr. Watkins has attained to distinction in
his profession by combining scientific
knowledge Of It's processes with delicate
and artistic taste. lie has principally de.
voted himself 10 the photograph on large
scale. The difficulty OF executing large pho
tograps has been stimulus 10 his enter.
prising spirit, and he has met with the sue
cess his generous ambition deserves Iiis
photograph portrait Of Mr.. Charles Dickens
is one OF the greatest trinmpbs Of the art (;
and his Lord lalmeston is the only likeness
We have seen Of the late Premier, that Gu
tircly does bin justice. But ambitious
though Mr.. Watkins be, and determined To
assert the dignity Of his walk in art, he has
entered into the graceful idea of Messrs.
Msion with the playful sportivcDos which
is ever u trait Of true gcnns. The tiny bust
portraits which be executes for the calling
cards being in many instances reductions
Of his larger portraits, combine high artistic
feeling with delicate finish. Many Of them
are not unworthy 10 rank, M works Of art,
with the engraved gems Of the ancients.
There is head Of distinguished dipIo-
ma,Ists in the small collection we have al
luded 10 that would have done credit to the
first gemengraver Of the olden time
Why should not these tiny photographs
become for US what costly sculpturcd germs
were Tor the wealthy Patricians Of Imperial
ROmey IL is the execution, not the mate
rial that imparts value 10 works Of art.
The images Of visual objects stamped by the
art Of the photographer have delicacy,
tru,biaIness and finish far beyond what could
be impaired by the most sensitive and skill.
ful human fingers with the aid Of the finest
tools. These Photographic miniatures in
the hands OF artists like Mr.. Watkins may
b. made TO rival the finest Of our much priz
ed canoes. They are not the le~ bu, the
more valuable because they can he used ~
the paper currency Of social intercourse.
Art Can never exercise its full influence Ovtr
the national mind 20 long n il is reserved
for great occasions II must first become
part Of our daily domestic life. We learn
from the decorations Of Pomp'ii that those
who bequeatbcd 10 us treasures u sculptur.
I'd art employed the artist b. mpart a fin
ishing grace 10 everything that made home
comfortable.
II our preachment can only have the ef.
feet u stimulating the curiosity of the pub
lie 10 take glance at the illustrated calling
cards OF the Messrs. Marion, we know tina,
the sight Of tbose by0o will carry them
further. They are ridiculously cbeap-a
guinea. We think, or ibereabouts, Tor the
hr-t and hall that price for any succeeding
buDdred. Think only, gentle reader, b'
how small sun you mas ensure immortal
ity The sutlsy Of five pound note may
enable you 70 scatter 30 macy fac 'ua'is' d
yoQseIf over the world that according 10 thu
calculation Of chances, !, Is impossible tbeJ
should ali perish.