REVIEW.

Evening Star, Issue 3958, 1 November 1875, Page 2

REVIEW.

Catalogue of Photogiaphs of New Zealand Scenery. Burton Bros., Princes street, Dunedin, Photography is to art what typography is to li erature: it is the means of recording the features of objects s accurately, readily, and cheaply as to place their pictures within the reach of all. We need not commend its use nor specify its various applications. Scan ely i science but is indebted tc it. and in everyday life it is in common requisition, ihe sun is not only an accurate but a rapid delineator, md what could not have been accomplished in a generation by our forefathers, is the work of a tew months of an enthusiastic and skilful photographic artist. How far travellers give truthful sketches of scenes they have visited, it is impossible to say when the scenes and faces are the work of the pencil. It may often happen that what is disagreeable is left out; but the sun will have the truth told. A wart or a wen, an ugly crag or a yawning chasm, receive equal respect, so far as his rays extend, with the loveliest face or the most charming landscape. Read aright, the sun picture is a true record. We doubt whether sufficient advantage has been taken of this property of photography as a means of education. Words are very well in their way, but the best d> scription leaves very much to the imagination, which, in proportion to i.s impressibility, is apt to exaggerate perfections -or defects. We doubt very much whether, for instance, the true idea of a glacier was ever reached by the most elaborate and minu e detail of its typography, its moraine, or its aiguilles. Five minutes’ examination of Messrs Burton’s photographs would do more to give a true conception of the frozen reservoir than pages of letterpress. In like manner the romantic scenery of Southern New Zealand, its mountain passes, glassy lakes, waterfalls, wild glens, towering heights, and snowclothed peaks, may be comprehended with a vivid truthfulness that no written account could create, by careful inspection of the two series of photographic sketches published by Messrs Burton Bros. These two seiies comprise a very great number of views ; the catalogue states nearly five hundred. It is no small advantage that there are very frequently several pictures of the same chiefi object, viewed from different points, so that very accurate conceptions may be formed of its true form and appearance. Messrs Burton, in order to facilitate reference to it;, have very judiciously placed the numbers of the views »n one line. For instance, under the heading “Dunedin from Anderson’s Bay,” there are two views, Nos. 83 and 84 ; “ Dunedin Waterworks—the Reservoir,” 325, 325, 326; “ On the Martin’s Bay Track—tho Dart River,” 501, 502, nO3. The labor of this classification has been great, but we should recommend in subsequent publications a little additional work in arranging the scenes as named, alphabetically. The first series is designated “ Otago through the Camera”; the second is not confined to Otago, and is named “ Scenes in the Southern A T ps.” Every one that lives in Otago believes that its scenery is not excelled in any country of the world. Sufficiently extended to admit of the wildest or most enchanting developments, its features are not so vast as to defy delineation. Its mountain ranges, its lakes, its valleys, river windings, and glaciers are comprehended within the range of the camera; and Mr Alfred H. Burton has a discriminating perception of the beautiful and the grand in scenery that leads him to seize upon and record that which is the most remarkable. It is no slight task to gather together such an immense number of pictures of wild and imosing scenes. An art tourist in New Zealand has many difficulties to overcome that barely exist in Europe. A photographer, especially, travels at a disadvantage. He cannot wrap his blanket and his billy round his waist, carry his commissariat in his game pockets, and strap his portfolio and drawing materials in a satchel to his back. He must have his camera and other apparatus ou wheels, and drawn by a horse, with whose help, and that of an assistant, he must place it in position after making his way sometimes over trackless mountains, or through glens, across rushing streams, up precipitous bank?, or over swamps. To accomplish this effectually requires boldness, judgment, and enterprise, and fortunately Mr Burton possesses thtae mental qualifications. Six years have been occupied m gathering together this splendid col lection, each picture of which is not only valuable as a work of art, hut as capable of ornamenting a portfolio, each view' is, in-size, eight inches by six, The pictures are neatly mouuted on tinted card-board, but should it be demired to form albums of the series, they cau be obtained unmounted. We had proposed remark ing on some of the most striking views, but from the reasons given w r e have confined ourselves to general remarks, being well convinced that no verbal description can be half so satisfactory as accepting Messrs Burton’s closing invitation appended to his catalogue ;—“ Many otter exceedingly favorable Press notices might bo added, but Burton Brothers would suggest that the most satisfactory mode of forming a judgment upon the photographs would be to call and see them.”