145 
ENGRAVING WITH A SUNBEAM. WOODBURY'S 
RELIEF-PRINTING. 
BY J. TRAILL TAYLOR. 
W HEN, twenty-four years ago, the first specimens of Pho- 
tographic Art on paper were Landed round among the 
savans of the period, speculation was rife concerning tlie pro- 
bable effects wliicli the new art would produce on miniature 
painting ; and the results which, generally, would accrue from 
its introduction. But wild as were then deemed some of the 
conjectures formed concerning its future, and visionary as 
were supposed to be the dreams of those who hazarded 
opinions concerning its probable bearings and results, it must 
now be admitted that in many respects, if not quite in the 
manner expected. Photography has, even at the present time, 
not only fulfilled, but surpassed, the wildest dreams of those who 
watchedbyits cradle, and has morethanrealisedtlie expectations, 
now no longer considered Utopian, of its projectors. Consequent 
upon its introduction, new facts in Chemistry have been disco- 
vered, and an entirely newpath of investigation in Optical science 
laid open. Advancing with rapid strides, it has been the means 
of causing kindred sciences to advance along with it ; and the 
pages of the Popular Science Review have from time to time 
borne testimony to the aid thus rendered by Photography to 
cognate sciences. 
After the persevering efforts and assiduous application of 
Mr. Fox-Talbot to perfect his process of Photography on 
paper had been crowned with a degree of success not long 
before considered quite unattainable, that gentleman made 
the unpleasant discovery that photographic pictures were far 
from being permanent ; that, called into existence, as it were, 
in consequence of the instability of certain metallic salts, the 
same causes by which they were produced operated in 
inducing their destruction ; and the elements of decay could 
not with certainty or satisfaction be eliminated from the 
finished picture, notwithstanding the care and pains employed 
in the endeavour to obtain this desideratum. 
