History and Practice of the Art of Photography | Page 6

I believe, but he demands so high a price for a single
right in this country, that none can be found who have the temerity to
purchase.
The execution of his pictures is also inferior to those taken by the
German artists, and I would remark en passant, that the Messrs. Mead
exhibited at the last fair of the American Institute, (of 1848,) four
Calotypes, which one of the firm brought from Germany last Spring,
that for beauty, depth of tone and excellence of execution surpass the
finest steel engraving.
When Mr. Talbot's patent for the United States expires and our
ingenious Yankee boys have the opportunity, I have not the slightest
doubt of the Calotype, in their hands, entirely superceding the
Daguerreotype.
Let them, therefore, study the principles of the art as laid down in this
little work, experiment, practice and perfect themselves in it, and when
that time does arrive be prepared to produce that degree of excellence
in Calotype they have already obtained in Daguerreotype.
It is to Professor Samuel F. B. Morse, the distinguished inventor of the
Magnetic Telegraph, of New York, that we are indebted for the
application of Photography, to portrait taking. He was in Paris, for the

purpose of presenting to the scientific world his Electro-Magnetic
Telegraph, at the time, (1838,) M. Daguerre announced his splendid
discovery, and its astounding results having an important bearing on
the arts of design arrested his attention. In his letter to me on the
subject, the Professor gives the following interesting facts.
"The process was a secret, and negociations were then in progress, for
the disclosure of it to the public between the French government and
the distinguished discoverer. M. Daguerre had shown his results to the
king, and to a few only of the distinguished savans, and by the advice
of M. Arago, had determined to wait the action of the French Chambers,
before showing them to any other persons. I was exceedingly desirous
of seeing them, but knew not how to approach M. Daguerre who was a
stranger to me. On mentioning my desire to Robert Walsh, Esq., our
worthy Consul, he said to me; 'state that you are an American, the
inventor of the Telegraph, request to see them, and invite him in turn to
see the Telegraph, and I know enough of the urbanity and liberal
feelings of the French, to insure you an invitation.' I was successfull in
my application, and with a young friend, since deceased, the promising
son of Edward Delevan, Esq., I passed a most delightful hour with M.
Daguerre, and his enchanting sun-pictures. My letter containing an
account of this visit, and these pictures, was the first announcement in
this country of this splendid discovery."
"I may here add the singular sequel to this visit. On the succeeding day
M. Daguerre paid me a visit to see the Telegraph and witness its
operations. He seemed much gratified and remained with me perhaps
two hours; two melancholy hours to him, as they afterwards proved; or
while he was with me, his buildings, including his diorama, his studio,
his laboratory, with all the beautiful pictures I had seen the day before,
were consumed by fire. Fortunately for mankind, matter only was
consumed, the soul and mind of the genius, and the process were still in
existence."
On his return home, Professor Morse waited with impatience for the
revelation of M. Daguerre's process, and no sooner was it published
than he procured a copy of the work containing it, and at once
commenced taking Daguerreotype pictures. At first his object was
solely to furnish his studio with studies from nature; but his
experiments led him into a belief of the practicability of procuring

portraits by the process, and he was undoubtedly the first whose
attempts were attended with success. Thinking, at that time, that it was
necessary to place the sitters in a very strong light, they were all taken
with their eyes closed.
Others were experimenting at the same time, among them Mr. Wolcott
and Prof. Draper, and Mr. Morse, with his acustomed modesty, thinks
that it would be difficult to say to whom is due the credit of the first
Daguerreotype portrait. At all events, so far as my knowledge serves
me, Professor Morse deserves the laurel wreath, as from him originated
the first of our inumerable class of Daguerreotypists; and many of his
pupils have carried the manipulation to very great perfection. In
connection with this matter I will give the concluding paragraph of a
private letter from the Professor to me; He says.
"If mine were the first, other experimenters soon made better results,
and if there are any who dispute that I was first, I shall have no
argument with them; for I was not so anxious to