The whole proposition must originally have been a hoax: in fact, we live in a day when the masses of the people are easily induced to believe that electricity can do everything.
Another, and far more feasible plan has been proposed ("N. & Q.," Vol. viii., p. 413.), viz. to paste the paper to be split between two pieces of calico or linen; and when perfectly dry, part them. One half, it is said, will adhere to each piece of the linen, and may afterwards be obtained or set free from the linen by soaking.
I have tried this with partial, but not satisfactory success. It will be remembered that the results of the true process were some years ago exhibited before a scientific company (I think at the Royal Institution), when a page of the London Illustrated News was first exhibited in its usual condition, printed on both sides; and was then taken to an adjoining apartment, and in a short time (perhaps a quarter of an hour) re-exhibited to the company split into two laminæ, each being perfect. Neither the pasting plan, nor the electrical gammon, could have effected this. I hope some of your readers (they are a legion) will confer on photographers the favour of informing them of this art.
Cokely.
Curling of Iodized Paper.—The difficulty which your correspondent C. E. F. has met with, in iodizing paper according to Dr. Diamond's valuable and simple process, may be easily obviated.
I experienced the same annoyance of "curling up" till it was suggested to me to damp the paper previously to floating it. I have since always adopted this expedient, and find it answer perfectly. The method I employ for damping it is to leave it for a few hours previously to using it upon the bricks in my cellar: and I have no doubt but that, if C. E. F. will try the same plan, he will be equally satisfied with the result.
W. F. W.
How the Glass Rod is used.—Would you be kind enough to inform me how paper is prepared or excited with the glass rod in the calotype process? Is the solution first poured on the paper, and then equally diffused over it with the rod?
Duthus.
[The manner in which the glass rod is to be used for exciting or developing is very simple, although not easily described. The operator must provide himself with some pieces of thin board, somewhat larger than the paper intended to be used; on one of these two or three folds of blotting-paper are to be laid, and on these the paper intended to be excited, and which is to be kept steady by pins at the top and bottom right-hand corners, and the forefinger of the left hand. The operator, having ready in a small measure about thirty drops of the exciting fluid, takes the glass rod in his right hand, moves it steadily over the paper from the right hand to the left, where he keeps it, while with the left hand he pours the exciting fluid over the side of the glass rod, and moving this to and fro once or twice to secure an equal portion of the exciting fluid along the whole length of the rod; he then moves the rod from left to right and back again, until he has ascertained that the whole surface is covered, taking care that none of the exciting fluid runs over the side of the paper, as it is then apt to discolour the back of it. When the whole surface has been thoroughly wetted, the superfluous fluid is to be blotted off with a piece of new blotting-paper.]