ter effect is obtained by
delineating them in cloudy weather than in sunshine. For, the sunshine
causes such strong shadows as sometimes to confuse the subject. To
prevent this, it is a good plan to hold a white cloth on one side of the
statue at a little distance to reflect back the sun's rays and cause a
faint illumination of the parts which would otherwise be lost in shadow.

[PLATE VI. THE OPEN DOOR.]

PLATE VI. THE OPEN DOOR.

PLATE VI. THE OPEN DOOR.

The chief object of the present work is to place on record some of the
early beginnings of a new art, before the period, which we trust is
approaching, of its being brought to maturity by the aid of British
talent.

This is one of the trifling efforts of its infancy, which some partial
friends have been kind enough to commend.

We have sufficient authority in the Dutch school of art, for taking as
subjects of representation scenes of daily and familiar occurrence. A
painter's eye will often be arrested where ordinary people see nothing
remarkable. A casual gleam of sunshine, or a shadow thrown across his
path, a time-withered oak, or a moss-covered stone may awaken a train of
thoughts and feelings, and picturesque imaginings.

[PLATE VII. LEAF OF A PLANT.]

PLATE VII. LEAF OF A PLANT.

PLATE VII. LEAF OF A PLANT.

Hitherto we have presented to the reader the representations of distant
objects, obtained by the use of a Camera Obscura. But the present plate
represents an object of its natural size. And this is effected by quite a
different and much simpler process, as follows.

A leaf of a plant, or any similar object which is thin and delicate, is
laid flat upon a sheet of prepared paper which is moderately sensitive.
It is then covered with a glass, which is pressed down tight upon it by
means of screws.

This done, it is placed in the sunshine for a few minutes, until the
exposed parts of the paper have turned dark brown or nearly black. It is
then removed into a shady place, and when the leaf is taken up, it is
found to have left its impression or picture on the paper. This image is
of a pale brown tint if the leaf is semi-transparent, or it is quite white
if the leaf is opaque.

The leaves of plants thus represented in white upon a dark background,
make very pleasing pictures, and I shall probably introduce a few
specime