Before photography was invented

Photography is so ordinary now-a-days that we find it hard to imagine how our forefathers, even in the past century, got along without it. In olden days British prison officers took a person's likeness in form of portraits. They have to wait for a long time for their portrait to get completed. Here is a conversation, “sit for your portrait, sir,’ said stout turnkey of prison. ”Mr. pick complied with the invitation, and sat himself down, when Mr. Weller, who stationed himself at the back of the chair, whispered that the sitting was merely another term for undergoing an inspection by the different turnkeys, in order they might know prisoners from visitors". "Well the artist will come soon” said Mr. Pick. The likeness has been taken in form of portraits and was completed and Mr. Pick was informed that he might now proceed into prison. Still earlier it was a list of "features" that did for such memorized "portraits". It was taken as short stature, and broad chest; one arm shorter than the other; the eyes are blue and hair ginger; a wart on one cheek and another on the forehead. Today we needn't do that; we simply provide a photograph instead.