Page:The Polygraphic Apparatus.djvu/18

 13 the natural curiosities of our native country, as well as its pro- ductions of art and·science, shall become the property of every patriot: they shall be seen in palaces and in the abodes of wealthy citizens ——— and from the cheapness in its technical execu- tion, even in the village-school and in the house of the peasant, if we pursue the method that nature intimates for its accom- plishment. The most remarkable thing is that Nature furnishes us gratuitously with the originals, so that we need only take what we please, and yet —- it will hardly be credited —- we did not take as yet, whilst manuscripts, and other productions of the human intellect that are of less value, are purchased at high prices every day. Let us place ourselves in the position of a traveller. How glad would be every one of us if, when passing through towns or spots in our home or in foreign states, we could obtain views of all the remarkable objects we beheld -—— that is to say if they were to be had at such reasonable prices as to be accessible to a person without enormous wealth. The Frenchman, the English- man of ordinary means would then be able to carry Germany in an album, the German of ordinary means, if travelling, would be enabled to carry England, France etc. in an album -- whilst at present travellers must be satisfied with single views —— steel- engravings or lithography at high prices —-— which are often anything but like nature. Photography. it is to be hoped, will gain the triumph in this combat, and will in time supply us from its cornucopia, without reserve, with everything that is accessible to the ray of the sun or to any artificial light — from the deepest pit of the earth up to the highest stars! 01- if we get a telescope that reaches above the stars, and it is joined to the photographic apparatus, we promise to furnish you with pictures from inli- nite spaces. From printing by means of the rays of the sun or by means Printing ro.- the of light, we will now proceed to the very contrast, namely to the mma' printing for the use of the unfortunate blind persons. Having