chap. v. ASTONISHMENT PRODUCED BY PHOTOGRAPHS. 135 
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 the 
position indicated 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 features 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 on the glass. 
Two or three others sat afterwards, and when they left I 
thought appeared rather doubtful as to the ultimate issue. 
A day or two afterwards I printed off some positive proofs on 
paper; and when these were fixed and shown to them they 
