720
all over the world, in addition to articles printed in the
photographic press.
The British Journal of Photography noted that the
chief work by which Hughes would be remembered was
his photographic manual. This is listed in Gernsheim’s
Incunabula of British Photographic Literature, where
there is some confusion over titles and editions. English
editions of this work were published as The Principles
and Practice of Photography Familiarly Explained, by
Jabez Hughes, the fi rst dating from 1861. At the same
time, a virtually identical book appeared (probably only
in the USA) under the title How to Learn Photography,
by Jabez Hughes and John Werge. Trifl ing differences
suggest that the latter was printed fi rst, allowing time
for copies to reach America before the English edition
came out. At the time of publication, John Werge was
in the USA—he had visited America before, and was
possibly better known over there. Also, the less highfa-
lutin title, How to Learn Photography, might have been
deemed more appropriate for the American market. The
latter seems never to have gone beyond its fi rst edition;
whereas The Principles and Practice of Photography
Familiarly Explained was into a second edition within a
few months, and had reached a 14th by 1887, those from
the 12th (1880) onwards being edited by J. Werge.
Nuggets of practical advice lie buried in this popu-
lar manual. Two chosen from the 9th edition (1870):
“Double or treble the exposure in the camera is required
during an easterly wind ... Avoid the use of wide-angle
lenses when the ordinary ones will do. They are dan-
gerous tools to use.” Some recommendations from the
10th edition (1873): “Never be contented with a medium
quality of picture if you can obtain a better one; ‘I dare
say it will do!’ will not do at all in good photography
... Never attempt landscapes on windy or misty days ...
Wash your plates well; wash your negatives well; wash
your prints well; and wash yourself well ... Ventilation
is the soul of health. Ventilate your dark room; ventilate
your bath, your camera, your tent, and your ideas.”
Raymond Turley
Biography
Cornelius Jabez Hughes, known simply as Jabez Hughes,
is presumably “Cornelous Hughs son of David & Elize-
bth Hughs” born on 20 July in the parish of St. James’s,
Westminster, and entered in the baptismal register of
Hinde Street Wesleyan Chapel, Manchester Square, on
24 October 1819. Curiously enough, he was baptised
for a second time on 17 January 1827, at the church of
St. James, Westminster. The register records Cornelius
Jabez (born on July 20, 1819), child of David Hughes
(taylor) and Elizabeth, who lived in Heddon Street, off
Regent Street. He married on 19 June 1843, at the parish
church of St. Paul, Covent Garden. The bachelor groom
was described as a tailor, living in Maiden Lane, the son
of David Hughes, tailor. His bride Esther Wright, a spin-
ster also residing in Maiden Lane, was the daughter of
Edward Wright, gentleman. Their son Alfred was born
on 1 October 1843, the father’s occupation still being
given as tailor. Jabez Hughes died at Ryde on 11 August- He was buried in London’s Abney Park cemetery,
near his only son. He had made a will in June of that
year, his personal estate being valued at £9402 18s.
5d. An obituary in the British Journal of Photography
provides many useful details of his career.
See also: Mayall, John Jabez Edwin; Werge, John;
and Goddard, John Frederick.
Further Reading
“Death of Mr Jabez Hughes,” Isle of Wight Observer, 16 August,
1884.
Gernsheim, Helmut, Incunabula of British Photographic Litera-
ture, London: Scolar Press, 1984.
Hughes, Jabez, The Principles and Practice of Photography
Familiarly Explained, London: Author, 1861 (and later edi-
tions).
Hughes, Jabez, “About Light, and about Lighting the Sitter,” Pho-
tographic Journal, vol. 10, no. 159, 15 July 1865, 103–10.
Hughes, Jabez, “On Papers—How to write them, and what to
write about,” Photographic Journal, vol. 12, no. 179, 15
March 1867, 4–8.
Hughes, Jabez, “Photography as an Industrial Occupation for
Women,” British Journal of Photography, vol. 20, 9 May
1873, 222–23.
“The Late Mr C. Jabez Hughes,” British Journal of Photography,
vol. 31, 29 August 1884, 548–49.
Turley, Raymond V., Isle of Wight Photographers, 1840–1940,
Southampton: University of Southampton Libraries, 2001.
Werge, John, The Evolution of Photography, London: Piper and
Carter, 1890 (reprinted New York: Arno, 1973).HUGO, CHARLES (1826–1871) AND
FRANÇOIS-VICTOR (1828–1873)
French photographers and writers
Charles (1826–1871) and François-Victor (1828–1873)
were the sons of Adèle Foucher Hugo and Victor Hugo,
the French poet and politician. Raised in Parisian cul-
tural and political circles, they soon became involved
in journalism. In 1851, for political reasons, they were
prosecuted and sentenced to jail. On the 2nd of Decem-
ber 1851, Napoleon’s coup capsized the Republic. As
a republican deputy to the Assemblée Nationale, and
opponent to the new regime, Victor Hugo secretly fl ed
to Brussels. But his libel “Napoleon le petit” made
him persona non grata in Belgium, and he was forced
to leave once again. On the 5th of August 1852, Vic-
tor Hugo, along with his son Charles, his wife and his
daughter, both named Adele , and their friend Auguste
Vacquerie, took shelter in Jersey Island, a common lo-