Previous, however, to Walcott's experiments, or rather results, my friend and colleague, Professor John W.Draper, of the New York City University, was very successful in his investigations, and with him I was engaged for a time in attempting portraits.
"In my intercourse with Daguerre I specially conversed with him in regard to the practicability of taking portraits of living persons.

He expressed himself somewhat skeptical as to its practicability, only in consequence of the time necessary for the person to remain immovable.

The time for taking an outdoor view was from fifteen to twenty minutes, and this he considered too long a time for any one to remain sufficiently still for a successful result.

No sooner, however, had I mastered the process of Daguerre than I commenced to experiment with a view to accomplish this desirable result.

I have now the results of these experiments taken in September, or beginning of October, 1889.