On this day (August 14) in the year 1841, the following news item 
appeared in the "Portland Transcript." (Portland, Maine; Vol.V, No.18):
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

    DAGUERREOTYPE.   We have not before call-
  ed the attention of our readers to the opportunity
  now afforded of obtaining a Portrait from life by
  means of the Daguerreotype.  Mr. Ropes has ta-
  ken rooms for a brief period in the Exchange,
  where he attends to Photographic Miniature paint-
  ing.  A sitting of from two to four minutes will
  give one a perfect likeness--a portrait of wonder-
  ful beauty and delicacy.  Our readers generally
  have doubtless heard of this surprising art, by which
  a faithful transcript of one's features may be obtain-
  ed, drawn by Nature's own finger, and it is well
  worth their while to visit Rope's Room and look
  over the different portraits taken in this way.  When
  Nature paints, she paints correctly and minutely.
  One cannot help being astonished at the exquisite
  finish to be observed in these drawings.  Every
  minute figure of the dress--every thread even
  may be detected--and so with the features--every
  line is completely shadowed forth.  Mr. R. is al-
  ways happy to see his friends at his room--who
  have but to speak the word to obtain from him
  their counterparts.

* * * * * * * * * * * 
(A note from Gary:  Do any of my readers have easy access to a copy of 
the "Journal of the Franklin Institute" for the month of September 1839?  
I inadvertantly missed a page or two when I copied a number of articles 
during a research trip last year.  I am needing page 210-(?) for the 
continuation of the article "The Daguerreotype Explained" (pg 209.) Any 
assistance would be greatly appreciated.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Posted for your enjoyment.       Gary W. Ewer      
-----------------------------------------------------------------
08-14-96