On this day (October 12) in the year 1852, the following article appeared
on the front page of the "Boston Daily Evening Transcript":
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THE HILLOTYPE DISCOVERY. [To the editors of the National Intelligencer.]
Gentlemen: I have just read in a letter of your Paris correspondent some
remarks on the subject of "Colored Daguerreotypes," in which allusion is
made to Mr. Hill, of Westkill, New York, and in which it is stated that Mr.
Hill has as yet exhibited no specimens of his discovery, while "M. Niepce
St. Victor, nephew of the celebrated discoverer of photography in France,
has made the grand discovery, and showed his pictures to the world." It
was also stated that "M. Becquerel had produced colored pictures, but he
was never able to fasten the colors." On this subject allow me a few
remarks in justice to the American discoverer of colored photographs. I
received a letter from Mr. Hill a few days since, desiring to see me. He
was under the apprehension that he could not live long, having suffered
from a violent hemorrhage, which he supposed was from the lungs, and
brought on by his untiring devotion to the perfection of his discovery. On
the 1st inst. I visited him, some sixty miles from this place. I found him
so far recovered as to be again able to resume his labors, and I am happy
to say to induce the belief that the hemorrhage was not from the lungs.
On a previous visit, a year since, he showed me no specimens of his
discovery, but, from the character of the man, and his manner, I then
believed him to be strictly truthful and honest, and I was satisfied either
that he had made the discovery which he claimed, or was under an honest
delusion in respect to it; but I could not then testify to its actuality
from personal knowledge. On the evening of the 1st and morning of the 2d
inst, however, all doubt of the substantial fact that a great discovery in
photography had been made by Mr. Hill was dispelled, by his showing me some
twenty specimens of his results. The most of these were like all those of
M. St. Victor, "copies of colored engravings." They were taken by the
camera, and not, as has been reported, "mere transfers of colored prints;"
but all were not "copies of colored engravings." Two were exquisitely
beautiful portrait heads from life, and one a full-length of a child from
life. One a landscape view from nature, principally buildings, which,
although imperfect in parts, served, from that very circumstance, to verify
to me the geniuneness of the discovery. The conclusions to which I came,
from what I say, are these:
First. Mr. Hill has made the discovery of a process for fixing the
colors of the camera image, and, although not so perfected in all its
complicated parts as to be equally true in the color of the various
objects, is sufficiently developed in its results to give assurance of its
ultimate perfection.
Second. Mr. Hill, in delaying hitherto to impart to the public a
discovery of such importance, while he has any hope of making it more
perfect, has acted with a wisdom and propriety which will be appreciated by
the public, and by none more than by the most distinguished and honorable
of the Daguerreotype professors.
Third. None by the most skilful and taste-endowed practitioners of the
present photography may expect to succeed in developing the full excellence
of Mr. Hill's discovery. It must be in the hands of no ordinary man, but
will require for the production of a perfect picture the taste, the skill,
the feeling of thorough and accomplished artists.
Fourth. Mr. Hill's process cannot be like M. Becquerel's, for it is
stated that M. Becquerel "was never able to fix the colors," while the
colors in Mr. Hill's process are so fixed that the most severe rubbing with
a puffer only increases their brilliancy, and no exposure to light has as
yet been found to impair their brightness. Nor can it be like M. Niepce
St. Victor's; for "fifteen minutes," it seems, is the least time in which
some of results were obtained, while ordinarily "it takes two hours of
exposure," to produce them. Mr. Hill's, on the contrary, are produced in
twenty seconds at most, and the most brilliant and most beautiful specimens
he showed me were obtained in TWO SECONDS! I also learn that the specimens
exhibited by M. Niepce at the Great Exhibition were so evanescent that they
perished before the exhibition closed.
Fifth. I could not but reflect on the different positions of those who
are engaged in Europe and American in unfolding this great scientific
mystery. The experiments of Europe have around them, and at command, all
the appliances of art, all the compounds, the products of the chemical
labors of the world's best scientific minds, with ample pecuniary means to
pursue their researches; they are further encouraged by the sympathy of
the world of art, and a national patriotism further rallies to the
protection of their country's claim to the honor of such a discovery. But
how is it with the American experimenter? Shut up in a sequestered valley
of the Catskill Mountains, with no appliances of art at his command, and
purchasing and transporting at an expense almost ruinous to him the scanty
stock of chemicals with which he is to operate, with comparatively few
about him to sympathize with him in his labors but a devoted wife,
willingly sharing in his privations; with feeble health and most limited
means, he untiringly pursues his researches at the hazard of all he has in
the world, even of life itself, that he may be give to the world his
perfected discovery. But at least such a man has the sympathy of those to
whom his discovery will be of the deepest interest? The professors of the
Daguerreotype art will hail it with delight, and award to the discoverer
the highest meed of honor? Americans, too, will feel a pride in sustaining
their country's claim to the discovery?
What shall I say in answer to these questions? Yes, it is true; the
most skilful, the most honorable of the Daguerreotype professors do hail
Mr. Hill's discovery with enthusiasm, and honor the discoverer. But, alas!
it is also true that there are in the Daguerreotype profession some who are
not only a disgrace to their profession, but to human nature itself. Some
of these have been the most prominent in intruding on his privacy, in
throwing before the public insulting innuendoes as well as positive
falsehoods, harrassing him with diabolical threats, &c. But I forbear at
present. There is a chapter in the history of this discovery which, for
the honor of humanity, I will hope may not be required to be given, but, if
necessary, shall be given, for the purpose at least of showing the nature
of the trials to which our American discoverer has been subject. Mr. Hill
has made a great discovery. It is not perfected. There is much yet to be
done to make it perfect, but he is in advance of all others, and has within
the year successfully overcome two of his difficulties. Both yellow and
white were defective in quality and truth a year ago, both are now
comparatively obtained. There are other colors which, in order to make
them so true as to satisfy an artist's mind, will require yet further
experimenting. Is not this reason enough for not at present giving his
process to the public? Who has a right to demand him to reveal it to the
public now? Who, indeed, has a right to demand it at any time? I trust
his life will be spared, not only to perfect his process, but that he may
reap some reward, both in honor and in profit, for his labors before death
shall take him from us.
With respect, gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
SAM'L F. B. MORSE.
Poughkeepsie, New York, Oct. 4, 1852
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Posted for your enjoyment. Gary W. Ewer
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10-12-96 |
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