A Photographic Query.—Is it probable that the number of stones and marbles which, without the aid of art, represent human and other figures, may have been natural photographs from the reflection of objects in a strong glare of sunlight? Some of those mentioned by D'Israeli in the Curiosities of Literature are so singular, that if this interpretation be not admitted, we must suspect them to be factitious. One particular example will serve as an illustration:
"Pancirollus, in his Lost Antiquities, attests that in a church at Rome, a marble perfectly represented a priest celebrating mass and raising the host. Paul III. conceiving that art had been used, scraped the marble to discover whether any painting had been employed: but nothing of the kind was discovered."
Its classification amongst Lost Antiquities seems to imply that the operation destroyed it, which proves that the figures were only on the surface; an argument in favour of its being a natural photograph. Any powerful die would have penetrated the pores of the stone for some considerable distance.
R. F. Littledale.
Dublin.
"Stunt with false care."—Where are the following lines, quoted by Charles Villiers in one of his corn-law speeches, to be found?
"Stunt with false care what else would flourish wild,
And rock the cradle till they bruise the child."
J. N. O.