[American Handbook of the Daguerrotype by Samuel D. Humphrey]@TWC D-Link book
American Handbook of the Daguerrotype

CHAPTER II
23/93

The following is the mode of ridding it of this noxious ingredient: Dissolve, in about six or seven quarts of filtered water, about five ounces of potash; when dissolved, wash with the solution an ordinary buckskin; when it has been well stirred in the liquid, the water becomes very soapy, owing to the combination of the potash with the oily matters contained in the skin.
Throw away this solution and use some fresh water without potash and rather tepid; change it several times until it remains quite limpid.
Then gently stretch the skin to dry in an airy shaded place.

When thoroughly dried, rub it well between the hands.

It thus becomes very pliant and velvet-like.
Reflectors for Taking Views .-- There have been excellent cameras introduced for taking views, but the time of exposure, which is increased in proportion to the focal length, is considered an objection; consequently many adhere to the old plan of using the speculum, or rather, substitute a mirror.

I now have one which I have used for several years and find it equal to any article of the kind have ever tried.

One is easily made by a tin man, at a trifling expense.


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