ion, through the marriage of Mr. Harrison (a signer
of the Declaration of Independence) with the daughter of the third Colonel
Byrd.

I have occupied much more space than I intended, but I have said enough I
hope to show, 1. That it is possible, from dates, from the character,
wealth, and position of Mr. Byrd and Mr. Hill, together with the length of
time the pictures have remained in the respective families, for Vandyke to
have painted these portraits. 2. That as men who directed the energies,
developed the resources, of our infant settlements, who brought hither the
products of science, literature, and art, who exhibited the refinements of
birth, the graces of good breeding, yet were always ready to serve their
country in the field or in the council, Mr. Byrd and Mr. Hill are vastly
more worthy of commemoration and reverence than all the Earls of
Dredlington that ever sat at his majesty's Board of Green Cloth.

J. BALCH.

Philadelphia.

[Footnote 2: It is curious to observe how matters of history appear and
disappear as it were. "The mighty Tottipottimoy," says Hudibras (part ii.
cant. ii. l. 421.),--on which the Rev. Dr. Nash has this note: "I don't
know whether this is a real name or only an imitation of North-American
phraseology; the appellation of an individual, or a title of
office:"--Tottipottimoy was king of the warlike and powerful Parnunkies,
and was defeated and slain by the Virginians, commanded by Colonel Hill, in
the action from which Bloody Run takes its name.]

[Footnote 3: There is a curious passage in the Westover MSS. concerning
William Penn, of which Mr. Macaulay should have a copy, unless one has been
already sent to him.]

* * * * *

PHOTOGRAPHIC CORRESPONDENCE.

_Cyanide of Potassium._--It may be interesting to our photographic friends
to know that cyanide of potassium is capable of replacing hyposulphite of
soda in all collodion processes. If used of the strength of five grains to
one ounce of water, no danger need be apprehended from it. Its merits are
cleanliness, quickness of operation, and the minute quantity of water
required for washing the picture fixed therewith.

J. B. HOCKIN.

_Mode of exciting Calotype Paper._--I forgot inserting this plan of
exciting in my paper: it is very clean and convenient, simple and sure.
Obtain a piece of plate glass, two or three inches larger than your paper,
level it on a table with a few bits of wood, pour on