M. Niepce presented his first paper on the subject to the Royal Society in 1827, naming his discovery @Heliography. What led him to the study of the principles of the photogenic art is unclear, but it was probably at least in part due to the previously mentioned alchemists' experiments. But M. Daguerre, who is a celebrated dioramic painter, had a more easily understood motivation. He wished to employ some of the singularly changeable salts of silver to produce a peculiar class of effects in his paintings. His investigation of the method resulted in the discovery of the @Daguerreotype, or photogenic drawing on plates of copper coated with silver.
To this gentleman -- and to his liberality -- we @Americans are indebted for the free use of his invention; and the large and increasing class of @Daguerrean artists of this country should hold him in the most profound respect for it. He was not willing to see his invention confined to a few individuals who might monopolize the benefits to be derived from its practice, and thereby shut out all chance of improvement. Like a true, noble-hearted French gentleman, he wanted his invention to be spread freely throughout the entire world. With these views he opened negotiations with the French government, negotiations which benefitted both the inventors. And now France has the "glory of endowing the whole world of science and art with one of the most surprising discoveries that honor the land."
Nevertheless, the invention has been patented in England, and the result is what might have been expected: English pictures are far below the standard of excellence of those taken by American artists. In addition, @calotype, the name given to one of the methods of photogenic drawing on paper (discovered and perfected by Mr. Fox @Talbot of England) is in precisely the same predicament, not only in that country but in the United States. Mr. Talbot is the patentee in both countries. But while he is a man of some wealth, he demands so high a price for a single right in this country, that no one is foolhardy enough to purchase one.
When Mr. Talbot's patent for the @United @States expires and our native scientists have the opportunity to proceed with improvements, it is fairly certain that the calotype, in their hands, will supercede the Daguerreotype.
Let them, therefore, study the principles of the art, then experiment, practice, and perfect themselves in all its details so that they will be prepared when that day arrives.
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; its astounding results, as well as its bearing on the art of design claimed his attention. In a letter on the subject, the Professor details the following interesting facts:
"The process was a secret, and negotiations 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 savants, 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 successful 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.
