The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-06
The Stercoscopton.

This Is the name Of q new optical instru-
ment, which has beer perfected after several
years OF patient study, and the expenditure
Of quite fortune. 1t is Attracting the at
tention Of scientific men and artists every
where, and seems to be considered the ultima
thule, the point beyond which invention can
not 60 in thisdepartment. We presume that
the word means great s,ercoscope. and Is
derived from two Greek words signiiying to
see solid. All Of our readers are familiar
with the s.ereoscope, the little camera. or
box, which admits slides, I'm which two pic
lures are taken, by the photographs process,
one for the right eye and ono for the left aud
which blend together in one solid view. Tho
stcreoscopton magnifcs these views several
thousand times. and renders the scenes so
perfectly that It is simply impossible to real
ire that you are not looking upon the real
city, building, landscape, or other object
represented, instead Of It's counterfeit pre-
sentiment. The instrument has been exhibit
cd In Boston and some other large towns in
Massac husetts, the expenses, which ars unu-
sually high, being generally guaranteed by
the citizens who desire to witness its perform
ancc. Our advertising columns show that
there has been On arrangement made to cx-
hibit in Saco, and wo hops that our citizens
will avail themselves Of the only opportunity
which may ever DO afforded them Of seeing
the world in ono evening, and for fifteen cts.
1t is to DO exhibited this evening and to.inor-
row evening.
An exhibition was given in Dover. N. H.,
last week, and tho following notice. which
wo cut from tho Gazette, will give IN idea OF
the treat in store for us:
SOMETHING New UsDER THE SvN.-wehaye
seen in many Of our exchanges most latter
ing notices Of the newly invented instrument
called the stercoscopton, designed to givo
magni6ed views Of stereoscoptic pictures. 10
rs TO produce the complete effect Of nature,
in sins, solidity and color. IL has been ex-
hibtcd before committees OF scientific ncn,
artists and travellers. who have unanimously
pronounced 1t to DO the ne plus ultra OF Illus
trative art, u triumph which we'll rewards
the inventor for bis long and patient study,
and enormous pecuniary expense to which no
has been subjected.
We visited the exhibition last evening at
the City Hall. and can truly aver that tho
half had not been told Us, which certainly 10
an exception to the general rule OF public
exhibitions. This instrument offers us vrtu-
ally an opportunity Of travelling over the
United States and Europe, and the enchant-
ing regions OF the East, viewing oil the prin-
eipal cities, the ruined castles, the imposing
cathedrals, the sacred places, hallowcd and
religious associations, the stupcndous Alpine
scenery, and all those wonders the descrip-
ton Of which in books Of travel hareso often
enchained our attention, without bcing sub
jected to tho expense, inconvenience and dan
gers attending the ordinary course Of travel.
Most of US cannot 90 to them, and - they.
through the medium Of this wonderful in
yention, come to us. Those who have wit
messed its performances say that 1t is impos-
sible to dispcl the illusion that they arc
standing over the brink Of Niagara, thread
ing their way among the crumbling ruins OF
Greece or Rome, gazing on the awful majesty
Of the snow.clad Alps, or revcIently travel
ing the soil Of the Holy Land.