_Albumenized Paper._--If this subject be not already exhausted, the
following account of my method of preparing the material in question, which
differs in some few important particulars from any I have seen published,
may be of interest to some of my brother operators. {396}

I have, after a very considerable number of experiments, succeeded in
producing the _very highly_ varnished appearance so conspicuous in some of
the foreign proofs; and although I cannot say I admire it in general, more
especially as regards landscapes, yet it is sometimes very effective for
portraits, giving a depth of tone to the shadows, and a roundness to the
flesh, which is very striking. Moreover, a photographer may just as well be
acquainted with every kind of manipulation connected with the art.

Having but a very moderate amount of spare time, and that at uncertain
intervals, to devote to this seductive pursuit, I am always a great
stickler for _economy of time_ in all the processes, as well as for economy
of material, the former with me having, perhaps, a shade more influence
than the latter.

As in all other processes, I find that the _kind of paper_ made use of has
a most important bearing upon the result. That which I find the best is of
French manufacture, known as Canson Freres' (both the thin and the thick
sorts), probably in consequence of their being sized with starch. The thin
sort (the same as is generally used for waxed-paper negatives) takes the
highest polish, but more readily embrowns after being rendered sensitive,
and the lights are not ever quite so white as when the positive paper is
used.

In order to save both time and labour, I prepare my papers in the _largest_
sizes that circumstances will admit of, as it takes little or no more time
to prepare and render sensitive a large sheet than a small one; and as I
always apply the silver solution by means of the glass rod, I find that a
half-sheet of Canson's paper (being seventeen inches by eleven inches the
half-sheet) is the best size to operate on. If the whole sheet is used, it
requires _more_ than double the quantity of solution to ensure its being
properly covered, which additional quantity is simply so much waste.

A most convenient holder for the paper whilst being operated upon, is one
suggested by Mr. Horne of Newgate Street, and consists of a piece of
half-inch Quebec yellow pine plank (a soft kind of deal), eleven inches by
seventeen inches, screwed to a som