11 FEBRUARY 1888, Page 25

Practical Guide to Photography. (Marion and Co.)—Written, as the authors

intimate, "rather for the amateur than the professional photographer," this treatise forcibly advocates the dry-plate process of the present day, and points out the ready means to hand by which finished results may easily be obtained. Minute details of manipula- tion are clearly and precisely given for all operations, from the setting-up of the camera to the final completion of the picture. Reliable formulas and valuable directions for their use are also given. Difficulties which are almost certain to be met with in practice are fully dealt with, and remedies prescribed for the general causes of failure. The historical chapters, too, will be found interesting, although old practitioners may take exception to some remarks upon the beautiful collodion process, as many results obtained by it are still standards of excellence. The professional photographer, as well as the amateur, may consult the book with advantage.