Our Daguerreotypists of the present day may consider themselves fortunate, when looking back upon the difficulties experienced by those early engaged in putting a shadow on the silver plate. We find here many a mystery unravelled, and set forth in a light heretofore unexplained. As these letters, written by Mr. W. to his partner, Mr. J., (at the time they were written) were many of them confidential, and some few contain business matter of a foreign character, it will require some little time to prepare them for the press in the order in which they were written. We shall make no alteration in the manuscript, and exclude such matter only as relates to business of a foreign character. They present a team of investigation and research worthy the first in the scientific circle.
We would here take occasion to speak of a curious specimen of our art, which we saw while recently spending an evening with Mr. Johnson. This specimen is a profile view of a gentleman, and if not the first likeness from life, it is said to claim age with the oldest Daguerreotype ever produced, and is no less interesting for its antiquity than for its size, it being on a plate less than one quarter of an inch square. To produce an impression on such a plate it would require the superior skill of the most successful operator of the present day. The outline is distinctly marked, the features remarkably well delineated, being in fact, one of the most interesting curiosities we have ever witnessed. The plate is cemented by means of Canada Balsam to a piece of plate glass about three-fourths of an inch square, and thus it has been preserved in its present state.
We saw many other specimens of Daguerreian antiquity, but as we intend to speak more fully of our evening visit at Mr. Johnson's, we will defer further notice for the present.
We would here say to such as may have Mr. Walcott's letters relative to the art, that we would consider ourselves especially favored if we could be allowed the perusal of them.
[THE NATURAL COLORS IN PHOTOGRAPHY.]
The subscriber begs to request those interested in the above discovery not to visit him until further notice, which will be given in the Daguerreian Journal. It is absolutely essential that he should have his time, and be left undisturbed. Stern necessity, arising from the fact that I can never complete my process if disturbed as hitherto, compels me to say both to friends and strangers, that my doors are locked, and will continue to be until I have completed my experiments. As this notice is given with a regard to the general good, it is presumed no offence will be taken.
L. L. Hill.
Westkill, Greene Co., N. Y.,
May 25, 1851.
Editors by inserting the above in their papers will confer a favor, and save many from spending their time and money to no purpose.