HILLOTYPE.

Since the announcement of the Hillotype, in the last number of the Daguerreian Journal, quite an excitement has prevailed, both in the Daguerreotype and scientific world. The great question has fairly been solved and "natural colors" can be produced and rendered indelible upon the metallic plate. America can safely say she has presented to the world one of the most invaluable discoveries that has ever been imprinted upon the pages of history.

Men profound in their scientific skill and learning, have long and in vain sought for the discovery or invention of some means of securing to the future, the colors of the present. All Europe has been alive to this great desideratum, and many have presumed it an impossibility, while some few persisted, flattered by hope and encouraged by the almost daily announcement of some new discovery or invention, that heretofore had been deemed only as having existence in the dreamy imagination or a perspective future. We hail the discovery of the Hillotype as an epoch bright in the history of science, as well as impregnated with interest to aid in unfolding a volume of investigation which has so long commanded the attention of learned and philosophical minds, as the "colored rays of light."

The subject of reflected light and its colors has long agitated the scientific mind. Much has been said and written; elaborate and laborious "Essays," "Researches" and "Treatises" have penetrated our libraries and proved valuable auxiliaries in pushing the interest of those engaged in furthering agricultural and chemical pursuits. This branch of natural science is regarded as one of the most important, and, at the present moment, it is rendered doubly interesting from the fact of Mr. Hill's discovery. We may look forward for new developments, which will prove no less surprising than that of rendering permanent, on a metallic plate, the variegated beauties of the solar spectrum.

We are, as it were, standing upon an eminence from which we can survey the present, retrospect the past, and almost sketch the bright outline of a coming future. Here lies a field for animated speculation, in which nature's student can satiate his appetite in the study of nature, in a province hitherto unknown and unexplored; he may here realize truths purely sublime, painted in the glowing "colors of nature," and rendered prominent upon the tablet of his memory.

We present the following communication from Mr. Hill, which our readers will peruse with pleasure:

For the Daguerreian Journal.

S. D. Humphrey, Esq.;—Being detained here a day on my way from your city, I relieve myself a little from the tedium of delay, by a few scribblings to your valuable Journal. I will give a few particulars respecting my pictures, &c.

I have now fifty-five specimens. They are all equally perfect. It is quite remarkable that I have never yet made a partial failure. Those impressions which have had too much light, are nearly as strong, sound, brilliant and beautiful as those correctly timed in the camera, being inferior only in having the colors less deep. Even the whites retain their strength. The folds of the linen are always well defined. Blue or solarized linen is unknown in my process, and there is always a strength and clearness in the whites, unattainable by mercury. During the past winter I have several times taken a view in which there is a deep red house, while the ground was covered with snow. For experiment I exposed the plate so long as to reduce the bright red of the house to a very light red, while at the same time, the white snow was developed with a beautiful whiteness.

I have copied several very highly colored French prints. The copies are far superior to the originals, in that, while they have every tint of color, they are exceedingly brilliant. This is a characteristic in which I never fail, even with the plates merely cleaned with rotten stone—the brilliancy depending on other causes. Well polished plates, however, are preferable for other reasons. It is essential that the plates should be very pure, free from scum? dampness, and organic matter of every kind, and I am experimenting with different substances, in hopes of finding something that will more perfectly cleanse, while it thoroughly polishes. I would be very thankful to any person who might furnish me with valuable hints on this point, as I am convinced that here lies one great cause of uncertainty.

My trouble with the yellow, which you mentioned in the last number of the "Daguerreian Journal," relates only to the homogeneous rays, orange, buff, and all the various shades of yellow come out true except the chrome yellow which appears less brilliant. This, however, is thought by distinguished artists, no serious objection.

My late visit to your city was much shorter than I could have wished. I called on a number of Artists, and the cordial manner in which they congratulated me has added much to my kindly feelings towards the fraternity, and strengthened my resolution to give all worthy Daguerreotypists and Artists, my process on terms which I believe will be satisfactory. As far as this is concerned, please say to such their interests are safe in my hands. I met with but one person anyway sceptical, and he is willing to be more fully satisfied when he "sees the pictures," which is very fair I am sure. While it is very cheering to me, in my truly arduous duties, to review the kind congratulations of my brother Artists, the most I am entitled to claim in an age when almost every announcement is regarded as humbug, is that the Daguerreian world will give me a fair chance to perfect my discovery. A few have seen my pictures, and their expressed opinions agree with mine, viz., that these pictures will astonish the world. I saw in your city, in the hands of Mr. Hite, Artist, some exquisite ivory miniatures. It astonished me that the human hand could paint "the form of the human face divine," in such a mode; but I pleasantly said to the Artist, what I now repeat in all seriousness, that the pictures by my process necessarily exceed in beauty the finest productions of the painter, they being drawn by light and painted by sun-beams.

I have heard several rumors while in the city, in respect to my designs in the disposition of my discovery. Allow me to say, for the information of all concerned, that my purpose is unalterably fixed to avoid monopoly, and to take a course which will put the process into general use.

To-morrow I start for my "mountain home," and with my invigorated health and spirit, I hope to resume my toils with a prospect of bringing out my process at an early day.

I remain, fraternally yours, L. L. Hill.

Woodstock, Ulster Co,, N. Y., March 12, 1851.

We are highly gratified to find many of our fellow Daguerreotypists are cordially welcoming us on by manfully and numerously sending us their names for the Daguerreian Journal for one year. When we commenced our editorial labors we launched our hark upon a sea never before thought safe for regular navigation, but we find only few snags in the way, and these are every day lessened by our close application and the assistance of kind friends. No man knows his friends until they have an opportunity to prove themselves.

With but few exceptions, all who subscribed for the Journal for the first four months have sent us two dollars worth of the "root of all evil," for their subscription for the balance of the year. We bow, and thank you! May you never get in a "Fog."

T. Antisell, M. D., has been appointed Professor of Chemistry in the Vermont Medical College, at Woodstock, Vt. He is now fulfilling his professional duties at the above named institution.

Mr. J. E. Mayall of London, has promised us an article on "Photographing on Glass." This will appear as soon as received.

Our old and learned friend Mr. Finley of Canandaigua, promised us a communication. Where is it?

Removal.—In our last we noticed our removal to No. 252 Broadway; this was the case, but we found on consulting a carpenter in relation to putting in a sky-light, he declared it unsafe. The consequence was, that we at once abandoned the idea, and soon made very satisfactory arrangements with Mr. Insley, the well and favorably known proprietor of the Insley Gallery. Once again we are settled and would be happy to see all who feel an interest in the Daguerreian and Photogenic arts.

The Office of the Daguerreian Journal is at No. 311 Broadway.