DAGUERREOTYPE PORTRAITS AT THE ADELAIDE GALLERY. IT seemed sufficiently wonderful
to have one's "portrait in little" limned by the sun in a few seconds; but now it is done instantaneously : a passing expression is transferred to a plate, and the "Cynthia of the minute "—or rather of the moment—is caught and clapped into a case in no time. This magical celerity in taking photographic likenesses by the Daguerreotype at the Adelaide Gallery, is the result of some im- provement in the process recently made by M. CiAttnar ; who has also greatly improved the pictorial effect of the miniatures, by the intro- duction of backgrounds; and he adopts a method of fixing the image peculiar to himself. The momentary quickness with which the likeness is taken prevents the necessity for retaining a fixed look and posture for a certain time : this is not only more agreeable to the sitter, but gives a life-like ease and vivacity to the photographic portraits : thus the ob- jections made to their stern and gloomy expression are obviated in a great degree ; the most transient smile being reflected in the polished surface of the plate as in a mirror. The addition of a background of trees, architecture, or a library, takes away from the metallic effect of the plate ; and gives to the miniature the appearance of an exquisitely finished mezzotint engraving seen through the wrong end of an opera- glass. This addition is made by simply placing a scene, painted in dis- temper in neutral tint, behind the sitter ; and arranging the focus of the lens of the camera so that the upper part of the figure is shown : by diminishing the size of the head, the defects arising from an exagge- ration of facial peculiarities are got rid of, and the salient points of the physiognomy are as it were concentrated : the fixing process, too, imparts a warm brownish tinge to the miniature ; substituting the tone of a sepia drawing for the livid coldnesi of the metallic surface. The roof of the Adelaide Gallery is the scene of these operations ; on which a chamber glazed with blue glass is erected, for use in cold and rainy weather : when it is fine, the sitter is placed in the open air under an awning, to screen the face from the glare of sunlight. Waiting your turn, and whiling away the time by trying to discern distant objects through the smoke, or looking at the steeple of St. Martin's Church, that rises in bold relief before you, a courteous person invites your attention to a little square box that he holds; and placing it on a stand directly opposite to you, begs you to remain steady for an in- stant. He lifts up the little dark curtain that veils one side of the cube- shaped box, and lets it drop directly : you suppose there is something wrong—not at all—the thing is done; whatever your look was at that moment, it is transfixed on the plate ; and you may go to the little la- boratory where the process of " fixing " is performed, and, as the mois- ture of the preparation is evaporated from the surface, see what was the precise expression on your face at the time. There is your image, as though a diminishing-glass had perpetuated the reflection, only with- out colour. But what a hand i surely you have not got such a huge fist : no ; you happened to thrust it forward before the plane of the picture, and. hence it has been taken under a different angle. You don't like to pre- sent a portrait with such a fist to the fair one to whom you have offered your hand; and you hesitate, though the likeness is so striking: M. CLLUDET perceives your embarrassment, and anticipating the objection, says "Let us try again, if you please "; and the operation is repeated— • ay, and a third time, if any accidental failure renders it necessary. Should you prefer it, a.friend may share the operation ; and at the same moment both phizzes will be transferred to the plate : we saw a loving couple taken in this way, nay even groups of three; you may have a whole family enclosed in a.couple of miniatures. The small size of the heads does not diminish the likeness, or its effect : you might have a set of shirt-studs ornamented with portraits of your ft iends.
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