CHAP. V. ASTONISHMENT PRODUCED BY PHOTOGRAPHS. 135 



passing by, gathered round in a state of considerable excite- 

 ment and expectation. 



"Wlien I had adjusted the focus, I told them that the in- 

 strument was used for taking people's likenesses in a minute 

 or two by means of the sun or the light. When they looked 

 and saw the accuracy of the figure, with all the minute de- 

 tail of the features of the persons standing before the instru- 

 ment, as shown on the ground glass, they appeared extremely 

 delighted, and several of them, after having gratified them- 

 selves by gazing at their companions, who very readily took 

 their places for that purpose, asked if I would take their 

 likenesses also. On my intimating a willingness to do so, 

 one chief hurried off unperceived, and in a short time re- 

 turned, warm with the haste of his walking, and followed by 

 a slave bearing a bundle of considerable size. On my asking 

 what he had brought, he took out a handsome scarlet lamba 

 and other attractive articles of dress, saying that he wished 

 to be dressed in these before having his likeness taken. I 

 told him I could take no likenesses that day, as I was only 

 putting the instrument together. He appeared somewhat 

 disappointed, also, when I told him that I could not take the 

 scarlet colour of the lamba with the instrument, but only the 

 form of the featvires and dress in dark and light, similar to 

 the specimens I exhibited of pictures previously taken else- 

 where. All expressed themselves willing to wait, but few 

 left without soliciting a promise that when all was ready 

 their portraits should be taken. 



They did not allow me to forget this promise, and as soon 

 as I had prepared the chemicals, a chief who lived near, and 

 one or two of his aides-de-camp, came with a number of 

 attendants, and, having sat before the camera, seemed rather 

 puzzled to understand how a likeness similar to those I had 

 shown could result from the collodion negative in the glass. 

 Two or three others sat afterwards, and when they left I 



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