The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-09-13
The Growth of Photography.

The Daily Times of Wednesday last contained
the following, well worth The reading:
| The secret Of success in nearly all branches
of industry can be traced TO two combinations In
a mans character-energy and tact. The invent
i've mind is never satisfied with the slow plod-
| ding of "old time" characteristics, and had II
not been for the creation OF genius, such as de-
veoped in the minds of our first inventors, we
light to-day have been compelled to foster the
SLOW coach"-the carrier pigeon--the sickle and
the sythe and the millions OF needles which were
piled by weary hands in the dim light of the "tal-
low dip" But circumstances called for revo.
luton; inventive genius, supported by tact ana
determination, bid defiance to slow methods and
revolutonized the world; and the mechanism
"of an hundred years ago" is no more or less
than the ridicule Of the uneGucated mechanic of
So also. with Art, in all its varied departments
While the brush brought forth the very Inca
mcnts Of life upon the rude, three.ply muslin, II
still lacked that model of finish, that delicacy OF
touch which was ef for modern artists to pro-
iduce The expression of life was the accompany
ling virtue, yet the attempt at inishing" was
but a rude apology. When Daguerre first con-
ceiyed the ida of capturing the shadow OF the
human face" he was most certainly guided by
the inspiration of genius and above for the beau,
rliful" But as perfection requires time, the ght
Of this mans soul went out in the "dreamless
Sleep ere he had realized the worth OF his in
yentiye powers. Yet he developed Il principle
and opened up a passage way that, being followed
by Others has led to perfection in the Artof mo
Biography Perfection? Compare with the rude,
unfinished infinitely less artistic productions OF
twenty years ago, and then look TO the close OF
| another century Tor that reform which shall de-
bar the present artist from claiming the right to
be designated as perfect photographer.
1t does not follow, however, that every aspir-
ant is an adept or masterworkman. III Is only
among the hundreds that we are enabled 10 call
one true artist who is worthy the honored title.
We were led to this train OF thought IN conse.
ioucnce of a recent and thorough inspection OF
W. s. Wheeler's Photograph Gallery. Mr. Wheel
err is q man whose NAN object has been To reach
standard of excellence attendant only upon a
truly first class artist; and near has he gained
this point, that the difference intervening, II any,
requires the most scrutinizing conception OF
art masters to discover We find here on exhi.
bition all styles Of pictures, and every feature OF
the face is not only artstcally defined, but bears
the stamp of n finished hand with the pencil, a
thorough knowledge Of the use of chemicals
brought about by years Of application and study.
The finishing stroke is the result OF incessant la
Dor, and contrasts widely with print of the plain,
} almost untouched negative too often handed out
for works OF art.
Another marked advantage in Mr.. Wheeler
work is the true outline and indenturc at every
fold Of the drapery, an accomplishment never at
tanned only by those who have mastered thelr
profession; and to perfect this, together with a
faultless face, requires attachments and aces
sions Of the most complicated make, guided by
an experience unusually great; and 10 say that
these advantages do not exist in Mr.. Whecler's
gallery would be folly in the extreme In con
clusion, then, allow us to add that OF all works
Of art, none surpass the photograph. all things
considered, in point of qualification. 1t il by the
discovery Of photography that all are enabled to
look upon faces 'gone before" But above all
else let them be works of art and not a mockery
of art 1t is the perfect picture we requirc-rmas
ter pieces, such as can be obtained OF Mr. Wheel.
er, and well may he be proud of his achieve
ments. He has reached a standard that entities
him to position foremost among the few who
lrightfully claim their own the science OF pho
Biography.