A Friend of the family. (Savannah, Ga.) 1849-1???, May 31, 1849, Image 2

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was much surprised to learn that a ceitain gen tleman, a professed admirer, had her Dagueireo type. The discovery was accidentally made, and puzzled her a good deal. She had never had her likeness taken but once, and then only a sin gle picture was produced, which was in her own possession. The Daguerreotypist had taken two sittings, but in sitting the first time, from some unknown cause, as was alleged, the impression on the plate proved to be bad, and was rejected. It was shown to her, but so very imperfect was it that only a part of the drapery could be seen. Had this rejected picture been even a tolerable one, the lady would have at once supposed that the Daguerreotypist had framed the plate as a specimen of his art, and thus brought it in the way of her admirer; but not a feature of the face visible, this supposition was not en tertained. The fact that the young man was so much enamored of the lady as to secure her picture operated favorably upon her mind. The mystery of the thing, too, had its effect. How had he ob tained it? That was the ever-recurring question. When next she met the gentleman, she felt anew interest in him. He was particularly attentive, and looked at her in such a wav as to make her feel some rather indescribable sensations about the heart. But the mystery of the Daguerreo type was not explained until after she had given him her hand. One day, soon after this event, she said to him—“ You’ve got my Daguerreo type.” “Me !” the young husband looked surprised. “Yes, yes. And what is more, you’ve had it these six months.” The gentleman looked a little confused at this unexpected accusation, but owned to the fact, and forthwith produced a very handsome picture of the lady, who looked at it for some moments. — That it was not the rejected portrait was plainly enough to be seen, for it was even a more perfect picture than the one she already possessed. “ How did you get this ?” interrogated the lady. “You wouldn’t guess for a month,” replied the husband, “so I suppose I must tell you. I learn ed by accident that you were going to a certain well-known Daguerreotypist to sit for your pic ture. Happening to know the gentleman verv well, I told him to secure a likeness forme at the same time, which he did. That’s the simple ex planation of the whole mystery.” “He didn’t take but two, and one of them he spoiled,” said the lady. “One of them you thought was spoiled, but in thatyou were deceived. The plate shown to you had never received an impression from your form or features. The real plate was dextrously laid aside.” J The bride declared that the whole thing was an outrage ; but while her pretty lips uttered the harsh word, a hearty forgiveness of all parties concerned in the matter, beamed from her loving eyes. Not a tew likenesses of gentlemen as well as ladies have been secured in this way. Incidents more pathetic and painful in their character than those which are here related, are of frequent occurrence. Not a great while ago, one of our Daguerreotypists observed in his rooms an old lady in deep mourning. She was a stranger, and was looking with evident eager ness along the walls at the various portraits that were exhibited as specimens of the art. All at once she uttered a low exclamation and then sank half fainting upon a sofa. Water was brought to her, and after a little time she was restored to self-possession. She then stated that news of the death of her only daughter, a resident in the west, had been received by her a few days before. Remembering that a likeness had been taken a short time previous to her going to the west, the faint hope had crossed her mind that there might be a duplicate in the rooms of the Daguerreo typist. She had found it, and gazed once more iato the almost speaking face of her child. Another incident quite as touching occurred at the same establishment. A mother came with her first and only child, a bright little boy of four years, to sit for her likeness. The father was along, and, at his instance, the child was placed on his mother’s lap. The image of the little boy was beautiful, but the mother’s picture was not good. It was then decided that the mother should sit alone, and that they would have the child ta ken when he was a few years older. As they were going away the operator tried to persuade them to take the other picture also, the likeness of the child being such an admirable one. They hesitated, but finally concluded not to do so, say ing that aftet he was a little older they would get his portrait taken ; and so they went away.— Three months after the mother came again. She was in deep mourning. Her boy was dead.— She had come in hopes that the picture of the child might still be in existence. But alas! it was not so. Search was made among old and rejected plates in hopes that it might not have been rubbed out ; but after looking for a day or two, the mother coming frequently during the time, the search was abandoned as hopeless.— I he shadow, fixed in a wonderful and mysterious manner by a ray of light, had faded also, and the only image of the child that remained for the mother was on the tablet of her memory. It is often a matter of surprise to some that two portraits of the same person by different Daguerreotypists should appear so unlike, it be ing supposed, at first thought, that nothing more than mechanical skill was required in the indi vidual managing the instrument, and that it was only necessary for the image of the face to enter the lens and impress itself upon the chemically prepared plate, to have a correct likeness; but this is an error. Unless the Daguerreotypist be an artist, or have the educated eye of an artist, he cannot take good pictures, except by the merest accident; for, unless the sitter be so placed as to throw the shadow on his face in a certain relation to his prominent features, a distortion will appear, and the picture, therefore fail to give satisfaction. The painter can soften the shadows on the face of his sitter so far as to make them only serve the purpose for which he uses them, but the Daguer reotype exercises no discrimination, and reflects the sitter just as be presents himself. It was ow ing to bad positions and bad management of light that the earlier Daguerreotypists made such strange-looking pictures of faces, one side of which would be a dark shadow and the other a white surface, in which features were scarcely distinguishable. But great improvements have taken place, and some establishments are turning out pictures of remarkable beauty and excellence. In order to obtain a good picture, it is necessary to go to a Daguerreotypist who has the eye and taste of an artist, or who employs such a person in his establishment; and it is also necessary to dress in colors that do not reflect too much light. For a lady, a good dress is some dark or figured material. White, pink or light blue must be avoided. Lace-work, ora scarf or shawl some times adds much to the beauty of the picture.— A gentleman should wear a dark vest and cravat. For children, a plaid or dark-striped or figured dress is preferred by some Daguerreotypists. — Light dresses are always to be avoided. The strong shadows that appear in Daguerreo type portraits are a sad anno} r ance to many who like Queen Elizabeth see no such blemishes on their faces when they consult their mirrors.— “ Can’t you take me a likeness without these dark places?” asks a lady who sees with surprise, a dirty mark upon her nose, around her eyes, under her chin, or on the side of her cheek. “ There is nothing like this on my face.” “ Why is my neck so black?” asks another; while another would would like her picture well enough if the face were “not so smutty.” A lady with a fair skin, upon which the sun has left some minute brown marks, which are almost hidden by the warm flush of health, is startled to find them faithfully recorded in her picture, and made so dark as to appear like serious blemishes. “ What are these ? There is nothing like them on my face ? ” she in quires, with a look of disappointment. The ar tist cannot tell her that her face is “ freckled,” and so makes some evasive excuse, and tries the ex periment again ; but with no better success, for the all-discovering light will make no discrimina tion—the little black specks are still there, and the lady goes away with a poor conceit of the Daguerreotypist, who, though he could make the light work for him, could not force it to record anything but the truth. It is curious to hear the various little suggestions by way of improvement that certain persons will make when about sitting for a likeness. A stout, fat lady would like to be made a liltle smaller, as she is more “fleshy than common ;” while a lean one, with a low-necked dress and bare arms, desires a full, handsome bust and round plump arms, as she is just now rather “ thinner than com mon.” Delicate hands are particularly desired, and these the artist who attends the instrument can give, by placing them so as to receive the light in a certain way. And, in fact, nearly all peculiarities of persons that tend to deformity may be modified by a skillful artist in the arrange ment of his sitter —though he cannot help cross eyes nor make a homely person beautiful—w hile one w r ho does not understand his business will, in all probability, distort and render them more un pleasant to look upon. This wmnderful art is yet in its infancy, and those engaged in it are so busily employed as to have little leisure for experiment and improve ment; but ere long w*e shall, doubtless, haVe a higher and more perfect order of pictures than have yet been given. The art of preparing the plates, which is b3 r depositing silver by galvanism ou a thin copperplate and then polishing it so ex quisitely as to look almost like a mirror, has at tained great perfection; but even here there is room for improvements that will be made. Still more artistic skill is needed by those who manage the instrument and arrange the sitter’** position, for no matter howgood the plate may be, nor how r perfect the manipulations, if the sitter be placed in a bad relation to the light, the picture cannot be good. All this is now understood by our best Daguerreotypists; and those who give most at tention to the improvement of their art will, in the end, reap the richest reward. The whole number of houses destro} r ed at St. Louis is four hundred and eighteen. The num ber of lives lost is supposed to be twenty. The loss of property will not fall short of six millions of dollars. The insurance companies will, gen erally speaking, pay all their liabilities. The bankers and brokers have resumed business. Mrs. McAndrew, who murdered her sister-in law, lately, at Madison, Mississippi, was convic ted of murder in the first degree. Puzzle.*— What part of the number 6, is one third and the half of a third. A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY, SAVANNAH, THURSDAY MAY 31,1849. AGENTS. Mr. J. M. Boardman is our Agent for Macon. Mr. S. S. Box for Rome. Mr. Robt. E. Seyle for the State ot South Carolina. James O’Conner, Travelling Agent. TO CLUBS. Any person obtaining the names of five new Subscribers, and sending us Ten Dollars, shall receive a sixth copy gratis for one year. Upon all subscriptions over five, the person sending the names and money may retain fifty cents as his commission. Payments invariably in advance. Postmasters are authorized to remit money to Publishers, and all money mailed in presence of the Postmaster, and duly forwarded by him, is at our risk. GODEY'S LADYS BOOK—EXQUISITE AS EVER. The wide spread circulation of this periodical is sufficient proof of its goodness, as in this discriminating age, such ex tended and increasing popularity could not be attained without corresponding excellence. We are fully aware there are some who affect to think lightly of this, and other similar productions, and turn up their intellectual probosis,—they would have us fancy —fct the pro ductions they enshrine; for our part, we pity such! Minds really capable of delight in the productions of our great mas ter authors, will certainly be gratified —although perchance, no positive Milton or Shakspeare grace the page—with the varied and exceeding beauty of the contents of our chiel magazines, and we strongly suspect, that if closely pressed, but few of them, who, whenever the living writers of our country are mentioned, answer with the names of the illus. trious landmarks in our literature, could point out excellencies in these authors, they profess to admire, aside from the stereo typed passages they conned for school exercises. That tasto which appreciates the pages of acknowledged greatness cannot but be gratified by the general beauties of our periodicals, among which Godey’s is pre-eminent—a single tale, to say nothing of its frequent exquisite poetical contri butions, from the pen of some writer such as the amiable, though truth searching, and inevitable heart-analysist —Ar- thur, is itself worth the price of the number. INJUSTICE TO THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF IN DEPENDENCE. The 4th of July approaches—and, among other modes by which the anniversary of this, our National birthday, usually is observed, we presume will be the reprint in the various jour nals, and viva voce delivery of the Declaration of Indepen dence. Such a course is good and true, for it is well to familiar ize ourselves with this paper; and no fitting opportunity should be neglected of giving it utterance. But, whilst this is so uni versally admitted, that no comment is required, we respectfully submit, that by some strange oversight, iujustice is done to the MEN who gave birth to this immortal scroll—unwarrantable as unaccountable/we allude to the very general omission both in the daily and oral delivery of the names of its signers. This obviously is wrong! when they should be as familiar as household names, whilst the burning words of that manifest —that “Magna Charta” of humanity—are written on each true American heart, how strange that its sponsers should be unmentioned. Let this no longer be —but hereafter, when ever and wherever the Declaration is published, let the full names and States they represent, be appended. THE OVERFLOW AT NEW ORLEANS. The Bee of the 25th inst., received by the extra train, says: u The water rose slightly yesterday, and is steadily encroach ing towards the river, though we believe that it has now very nearly reached its level, The only thing we have to fear is a heavy rain, in which event the entire city would be flooded tor several hours. Thus far, we have every reason to be thankful for clear skies.” THE SAVANNAH GEORGIAN. Wm. H. Bulloch, Esq., the amiable and accomplished Editor has retired, and Col. Samuel S. Sibley, former editor of the Tallahassee Floridian, has taken his place among the Editorial Corps of this paper. A young gentlemen, a friend of Judge S., of this State (who is a warm patron of Temperance Societies,) related to him the following anecdote : He had stopped to the bar to take a drink, as he usnally did at that time of day, when he chanced to overhear two lads conversing. “I’m sure Bill it can’t be wrong to drink a glass of Brandy, when Mr.B., who is so much respected, does so.” The gentleman was thunderstruck, he had never immagined his couduct would be an exemplar, and was so touched by the circumstance that he put down his un tasted glass, and immediately went and joined the Sons op Temperance. The WorJcs of Washington Irving. New Edition, Revised. \ol. JX. Grayon Miscellany. Putnam. The author’s “Astoria,” the last monthly publication of the series, has, from its timely issue, when men’s eyes are directed to the “California Trail,” met with the most distinguished suc cess, It is appropriately followed by the Tour to the Prai lies, included in the present volume. The next, we under stand, will be a republication of Captain Bonneville’s, which will complete the volumes through which Irving has so happi ly connected his name with the History of the Great West. The charm of the Tour to the Prairies is its unique finished character. It is a little episode of the author’s life, in w hich he has condensed the sentiment and fresh spirit of adventure consequent on his return to American life, after long familiar ity w r ith the over-cultivation of Europe. It will propnbly be read as long as any of his writings. The sketch of Abbots ford and its Master is one of the most graceful and truthful of the many reminiscesces of Scott. How admirably the charac ter of Sir Walter’s conversation is conveyed in a line—“ The conversation of Scott was frank, hearty, picturesque, and dra matic.” The anecdotes and traits of the great Master charmingly told in this narrative, are all to the point. The paper which concludes this volume of the Miscellany on Newstead Abbey, reminds us of the best of the Sketch Book or Bracebridge Hall. THE CHOLERA. A few cases have occurred at New York. In the West ths disease has assumed a mild form and is on the decline. THE CAM ELI N A SATIVA. We call the attention of planters to the advertisement 0 f Mr. Win. Humphreys, Jr., who is the agent for a North ern Company for the sale and purchase of this seed. It is thought by some that its cultivation will pay better than Cotton. We hope that some Farmer may test it, and let u g know the result. I3T We commend to the attention of our readers the com tnunication of the Chairman of the Board of Health, for ag the old saw runs an ounce of preventative is worth a pound f cure. Passengers and Exports per steamer Cherokee, Lyons, f or New York, May 30, 1849. Messrs. N Benacui, S Marrogodato, P Lutrnri, W P Tefft R W Hamilton, L J Guilinartin, E II Sargent, T T Wilmor* Thos Lochart, Wm F Hamiltop, Henry Coricklin, F B Allen E Allen, Rev Jno W Parsons, Jus F Nutting. W W Russell L Pressncacui, W Webb, H Leopold, Jno Shultz, Jose Leon Garcia, Y gul Fellacue, Wm H Hanley, R D Kellogg, A Ben ham, Jas Magee, Jon M’Cortney, H W Abbott, J L Abbott Denman and lady, Wm F Mason and lady, B Wells, Indy and 4 children, A Willivnan and lady, Elbert and lady, Daniel John son and lady, D W Clark and lady, Mrs S C Ensign, Misse* Thatcher, Lovell, Padelford, R Minis, Wells, M L Holt, J C Clement, F J Whitney, Merrill, J F Woodhull and lady, Mrs Scranton, Mrs Veader, Mrs Padelford and servant, Mrs Wil der, child and servant, Mrs Parsons, Mrs Johnston, Mrs Rug glesand daughter, Mrs Fox and 2 children, Mrs J M Denn, Capt Cobb, and 21 steerage. Exports.—4l6 bales Cotton,'6 bales Wool, 84 baleg Do mestics, and sundry Packages. TO THE INHABITANTS OF SAVANNAH. In conformity with a Resolution recently passed by the Board of Health I would call your remembrance to the good state of health enjoyed by our fellow citizens for years past and to urge upon you the necessity, if you desire a continu ance of that blessing during the approaching season, to keep under these local causes, by a prompt removal of all animal and vegitable decomposition, beyond the corporate limits of Savannah. Cleanliness is an indispensable ingredient of health; it ought to be observed by nil, otherwise you invite disease and the consequences that necessarily follow in its train. We your Board of Health, earnestly entreat you, to whitewash your fences, cellars, out houses, and freely use the {Sulphate Ferri) Copperas, in proportion of two pounds to three gallons of water in your sinks and other places emitting unpleasant effluvia. For the better advancement of health, we would suggest, that each citizen adopt a feeling that he also is a member of this Board, by giving his attention to the cleanliness of his premises, and those around him. The Board of Health, expect their fellow citizens will afford them aid in their weekly visits, to enable them to effect strict examination, and faithful reports. Your Board of Health requests that you make known through the medium of its Chairman, Ward Committees, City Marshall, or by letter through the Poi* Office, of any nuisance or deposit, that may be calculated to produce disease. The duty assigned to us is an arduous one. If we meet with a cordial and approving support, then shall we feel that our labours have not been without effect. SOLOMON SHEFTALL, m ay 31 Chairman Board of Health. it ii &&&s:s @® s, THE PAINTED WINDOW. A FREE TRANSLATION FROM THE GERMAN, BY MRS. GOODWIIf. A poor hermit once dwelt alone in his cell, mourning over the iniquities of the world, and almost murmuring against the ways of Providence, because innocence and virtue, according to his views, were so often wronged and oppressed, while sons of violence and blood were rxalted to places of wealth and power. So much did these things disturb his mind, that he could no longer meditate upon heavenly things, and his very de votions were disturbed by bitter thoughts. At length he determined to take the pilgrim’s staff, and wander through the world, in search of Truth. “ 1 ruth,” said he, “will shed light into my mind, and make all these things Dlain.” The poor pilgrim wandered from land to land, till his sandals were worn out, and his frame weary, yet he gained no light. One day as he vvas passing through a deep and lonely forest, a furious tempest arose suddenly, and beat upon his unprotected head. Thunder roared, lightning glared, and rain poured down in torrents. The pilgrim looked around for some place of shelter, and at length espied, at a distance among the trees, a small chapel. With a thankful heart he hastened toward it, and tried the door. It yield ed easily to the hand ; and, reverently taking off his hat, the pilgrim entered. The chapel looked dismal and dreary. It was built of dark stone and black oak, without orna ment. A dark stone altar stood at one end, and at the other was a Gothic window—the only one in the chapel. This only window seemed so de faced with various stains, that the light it admit ted, so far from making the place more cheerful, only added to its gloom. “I ie ! what a filthy window disgraces this holy place,” said the pilgrim ; “it looks as if some madman had amused himself by daubing it over with soot and blood. It is only stain on stain.— But, alas ! this window is a picture of the world. It truly sets forth the chaos of unseemly things which one sees around him, at every §J;ep.” While the pilgrim yet looked, and complained, the sun broke forth from the clouds, and stream ed his full radiance through the painted window. In a moment, the whole kindled into life and beauty, and every corner of the dark chapel was