his subject, so far as the means he employs will or can enable him to give an art rendering of nature, fixed and immovable. I do not profess to be a teacher, but I do think it is much more genial in spirit, and becoming the dignity of a man, to impart what little knowledge he has to others, than to scoff at those who do not know so much. If, therefore, Mr. Editor, in the course of my peregrinations, I see an opportunity of calling your attention, and, through you, the attention of others, to any glaring defects or absurdities in the practice of our dearly beloved art, I shall not hesitate to do so; not, however, with any desire to carp and cavil at them for cavilling's sake, but with the more laudable desire of pointing them out, that they may be avoided. During the coming summer I shall have, or hope to have, many opportunities of seeing and judging, and will endeavour to keep you duly advised of what is passing before me. My letters may come from all parts--N., E., W., and S.--so that they will, in that sense at least, harmonize with the nomenclature of your periodical. Where I may be at the date of my writing, the post-mark will reveal to you. And now I must consider my signature: much is in a name, you know. I can hardly call myself your "Special Correspondent"--that would be too much _a la Sala_; nor can I subscribe myself an "Old Photographer," for that would be taking possession of another man's property, and might lead to confusion, if not to difficulties; neither can I style myself a "Peripatetic Photographer"--though I am one--for that name sometimes appears in the columns of a contemporary; and my own name is such a long one, consisting of nearly half the letters of the alphabet. Well, I think, all things considered, I cannot do better than retain my old _nom de plume_. And with many apologies for this long, roundabout paper, and every expression of regard, I beg to subscribe myself your obliged and humble servant, Lux Graphicus (J. Werge). _March 27th, 1868._ * * * * * "LUX GRAPHICUS" ON THE WING. Oxford and Cambridge--Cabinet Portraits--Mr. McLachlan's Secret.