GLASS BATH AND DIPPER.
"Isn't that splendid?" said Fred, enthusiastically; "it's just as natural as life."
Jim, cool and quiet as usual, washed the plate well with water, and cautiously poured on the fixing solution, when the yellow coating of the picture vanished, and old Spriggins's grape arbor came out in clear, sharp lines.
"Now, Fred," said he, "you calm down a little, and varnish this."
"All right," answered Fred; and having lighted the spirit-lamp, he poured on the varnish, and held the plate over the flame; but, alas! there was a fizz, a vile smell, a great deal of smoke, and the pretty picture was a mass of paste.
"I won't have anything more to do with this part of the work," said Fred, impatiently, throwing the spoiled plate on the floor. "I can play doctor's shop, and mix up solutions as well as anybody, but this endless dipping, washing, and drying takes more patience than I possess. I shall leave that to you, Jim."
"One more trial, and a perfect picture," answered Jim, quietly.
The next attempt proceeded smoothly up to the varnishing-point, when Jim said he would do it without the aid of heat. The picture was accordingly varnished and stood away to dry, when after a few minutes it was found to be covered with a white film which entirely obscured it. Fred declared he would never try again, but Jim, more persevering, decided to heat the plate a little, and see what happened. He passed it gently over the spirit-lamp flame, when, to his great relief, the cloud vanished, and the picture re-appeared, increased in brightness, and covered with a coating thick enough to protect it from scratches.
These boys had many other mishaps and disappointments before they became skillful enough to be sure of obtaining a good picture. They learned, too, that rules in books sound very easy, but that much practice and experience are required to carry them out successfully. But having by care and perseverance once conquered all obstacles, they had no end of fun copying pictures for friends and school-mates.
Having become very fair tin-typers, they are now ambitious to take negatives on glass, and print from them. If they succeed in doing this well, some day they may tell you all about it, if you are interested enough to listen.