Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-05-23


pleasant and entertaining illustrated
lectures on Europe, Saturday night
The lectures were sort Of journey to
various parts of of the old world--the
Prof acting as guide to explain to the
audience the views he showed. He is
a very entertaining guide and took
his audience to every place worth see
ing. Even the palaces and private
rooms of the kings and rulers were
invaded. The places shown were
London, Germany, France, Homes OF
England, Rome and Ireland. The
views were beautiful and, as they
were shown direct from photographs,
were life like. To the observer it APP
peared as if he was really gazing at
the actual scene, instead of a picture
thrown on the canvas, and so natural
did some of the views of halls and in
teriors look, that the eye was deceived
and person could not help but be-
lieve that the actual place was before
him, and that he could walk right in.
Many of the views We're from instan-
taneous photographs, especially the
street views, and thus the spectator
could see the appearance of the street
as it really looked at the time the
view was taken. Pictures of the best
and most celebrated groups of statua-
ry were also shown, looking as if the
marble group had been moved to the
opera house for the especial benefit of
the audience. The method in which
they were brought to view was start
ling. They often seemed to appear
out of halls, and would gradually
grow distinct as the hall view faded
from sight, then they would gradual
ly disappear behind clouds. The dis
solving effects of some of the views
were beautiful. To show these views
OH canvass, there is first a photo neg
alive to be taken of the scene. In
this, as in all other negatives, the
white and black are reversed, and if
shown direct on the canvass. would
show people with black faces, and the
other parts of the picture that should
be light, would look black. 1t is nee
essary therefore to reverse the photo
graphic negative aud make what is
called transparency. This can be
done in two ways. either by rephoto-
graphing, or by contact printing, and
the result is that you have picture on
glass in true colors same as OH a cabi-
net card photo. The glass photos are
in size 4ix3i. If the original photo
negative is larger than the size above
given, it has to be reduced by repho-
tographing which is easily done with
the proper instruments by those who
have learned the art A magic Ian
tern is then procured with powerful
light, which is far stronger than gas
or kerosene light, and is made by
combining and burning certain gases.
There is slide in which to place the
transparency. Behind the transpar-
ency is the powerful light. In front
are strong magnifying lens which en-
large the small transparency. and the
powerful chemical light throws the
picture on the canvass where il was
nearly as large as the opera house
stage opening. The picture on the
canvas is therefore an exact repro.
duction of the photo, and the better
the original photo is, the more excel
lent will be the view that the audience
sees. The dissolving views, or chang
ing from one view to another, are
made by using two or more magic
lanterns. or as the best grades are
called. stereopticans. One lantern for
instance, is showing view of an in
terror. In the other can be placed a
statue. AS the light is gradually
turned off from the hall view, and
turned on the statue view, the latter
appears TO emerge from the hall
and the interior view gradually dis
appears. Sometimes three lanterns
have to be used.