134 



KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



would involve more space and time than I 

 can spare time to answer properly, I beg to 

 refer all inquirers to " Hunt's Manual of 

 Photography," 4th edition, a most valuable 

 work, which contains a very extended history 

 and account of Photography in all its 

 branches. As much water is used in the 

 process, a room with a sink and water-tap is 

 to be preferred ; yet a pail of clean water, and 

 a receptacle for the washings, will suffice 

 very well. 



I give a detailed list of the apparatus, and 

 materials required for the Collodion process ; 

 as some may already possess several of them, 

 or may prefer to purchase them singly. But 

 most makers fit up various-sized sets of 

 every requisite, at prices varying according 

 to size and quality. 



A rigid camera, with dark cell for glass 

 and- paper, frames for various sizes of plates, 

 &c. 



A pair of compound achromatic lenses, 

 mounted in brass, with rack work adjustment 

 about 2jjj inches diam., and costing, — say 

 £4 4s. 



Two porcelain trays (rather wider and 

 longer than the largest-sized picture the 

 camera will take), one gutta percha dipping 

 bath, same breadth and width as the trays, 

 with dippers. 



One pair of scales, with glass or bone 

 trays, one 10- oz graduated glass measure, 

 one glass funnel, three 10-oz. bottles, 

 ground-glass stoppered. 



Glass plates to suit the frames of the 

 cr.mera. The various sizes required are 

 kept in stock by many glaziers, and at all the 

 photographic shops. 1 prefer patent-plate 

 glass ; although flattened crown-glass suits 

 very well, and is considerably cheaper. 



Chemicals : — 



Iodised Collodion 2 oz. 



Crystallised Nitrate of Silver \ oz. 



Proto- sulphate of Iron 2 oz. 



Hypo-sulphite of Soda 2 oz. 



Strong Nitric Acid \ oz. 



Sulphuric Acid \ oz. 



Liquid Ammonia \ oz. 



Acetic Acid \ oz. 



One gallon distilled Water. 



All the above (except the water) must be 

 kept in glass-stoppered bottles, as some are 

 volatile, whilst others absorb moisture from 

 the atmosphere. They must all (but particu- 

 larly the collodion and the nitrate of silver,) 

 be kept away from a strong light. 



I will now give the formulas for the solu- 

 tions required, which are all to be made in 

 'proportion to the quantities mentioned, more or 

 less, as wanted. For instance, when I say 

 nitrate of silver 30 grains ; distilled water 

 1 oz. , you will take, say 8 ozs. of water ; 

 and of course eight-times 30 grains of silver, 

 i.e. 240 grains. 



No. I. Iodised Collodion. — This is prepared by 

 dissolving gun cotton in ether, which is after- 

 wards iodised ; but as it is much preferable for 

 beginners to buy it fresh in small quantities, as 

 wanted, I will not detail the manufacture. 



No. II. The Sensitive Solution.— To distilled 

 water, 1 oz., add Cryst. Nitrate of Silver, 30 

 grains. 



No. III. The Developing Solution. — Distilled 

 Water, 10 ozs.; Proto-Sulphate of Iron, \ oz. ; 

 Sulphuric Acid, 6 minims; Acetic Acid, 5 

 minims. — Filter through bibulous paper. 



No. IV. The Fixing Solution. — A saturated solu- 

 tion of Hypo-sulphite of Soda in filtered rain 

 or river water. 



If these solutions be prepared in time for 

 next month, I hope we shall then be enabled 

 to take a picture together. 



One word more. Let me impress upon all 

 beginners the imperative necessity for the 

 most scrupulous cleanliness in manipulation. 

 The least speck of dirt, or grease, on a glass 

 plate, will spoil the future picture ; or a drop 

 of one solution may do serious injury to 

 another. 



Any questions addressed to me or. the 

 subject, may be forwarded through you. I 

 shall be most ready and happy to reply to 

 them. 



Glenelg. 



IF I WERE A VOICE. 



BY CHARLES MACKAY, 



If I were a voice, a persuasive voice, 



That could travel the wide world through, 



I'd fly on the beams of the morning light, 



And speak to men with gentle might, 

 And tell them to be true. 



I'd fly, I'd fly o'er land and sea, 



Wherever a human heart might be, 



Telling a tale or singing a song, 

 In the praise of the right, 



In the blame of the wrong. 



In the blame, in the blame of the wrong. 



If I were a voice, a consoling voice, 



I'd fly on the wings of' air; 

 The homes of sorrow and guilt I'd seek, 

 And calm and truthful words I'd speak, 



To save them from despair. 

 I'd fly, I'd fly o'er crowded town, 

 And drop like the happy sunlight down 

 Into the hearts of suff'ring men, 

 And teach them to rejoice again, 



And teach them to rejoice again. 



If I were a voice, an immortal voice, 



I'd speak in the people's ear, 

 And whenever they shouted " liberty ! " 

 Without deserving to be free, 



I'd make their error clear. 

 I'd fly, I'd fly on the wings of day, 

 Rebuking wrong on my world-wide way, 

 And making all the earth rejoice, 

 If I were a voice, an immortal voice, 

 If I were an immortal voice. 



