The opportunity offered in preparing a fourth edition of the Manual of Photography for the press, has been embraced for the purpose of making some alterations in the arrangements of the several divisions of the subject, and of placing thereby each particular phenomena in a clearer view. By this the amateur will advance more readily in his Photographic studies, and the experienced artist will find the references more easy to any particular mode of manipulation which he may desire to consult.

All the most recent improvements have been comprehended ; the processes of Photographic etching have been embraced; and, it is believed, nothing omitted which can serve to maintain the flattering position which the " Manual" has secured for itself as a standard work on Photography.

ROBERT HUNT.

London, March, 1854.

Preface To The Third Edition

The rapidity with which the second edition of this work has been exhausted, is a most satisfactory proof that a collection within convenient compass of all the facts connected with the progress and practice of Photography, was required by the increasing number of amateurs and artists who are interested in its very beautiful phenomena.

In the present edition a new system of arrangement has been adopted, which will, it is thought, prove generally convenient.

A very large portion of the present volume consists of new matter—the Waxed Paper and the Collodion Processes, amongst other sections, may be referred to ; and the appended chapter, On the Production of Pictures for the Stereoscope, will be found to afford much useful information. The additional wood-cut illustrations which have been introduced will be found to render important aid to the amateur. I must acknowledge the ready assistance, in the way of correction and information, which has been afforded me by several of the most practised photographic artists of the metropolis. To Mr. Claudet and Mr. Horne, in particular, I am indebted for many novel and most useful details in the practice of the Daguerreotype and the Collodion processes; and to Mr. Sandford, who has furnished me with many valuable facts relating to the preparation of paper for Photography, I am under many obligations. Those gentlemen who have kindly hastened to supply me with the results of their practice, which is duly acknowledged in the text, will accept my thanks. In conclusion, let me hope that the arrangement of the present volume will be found an improvement upon the former editions, and that this Manual may deserve to maintain its place Text- Book on Photography.

ROBERT HUNT.

London, December, 1852.