On Saturday evening the 3rd January 1863, a respectable clerical looking man, called at Mr Slater’s in Euston Road, and inspected the telescope which that gentleman exhibits in front of his house. He was particularly interested in the mountings, and also in the manner of fitting the object glass into their cells. After making several remarks on the grandeur of the Science of Astronomy, the wonderful works of the creator &c, he proposed to give Mr Slater’s assistant 5 shillings and sent him into the house to get change for a sovereign, at the same time asking Mr Slater to be so good as to call a cab for him. This was done, and he drove off “to the Paddington Station”. Scarcely was he out of sight, when it was discovered that the object glass of the telescope, which had elicited so much praise was missing. In great haste Mr Slater pursued with a Hansom and met the cab returning, the driver stating that the gentleman had suddenly recollected an engagement, and had got out in Portland Place. The object glass was one of 6 inches in diameter, in preparation for the Rev Professor Sellwyn.
Thomas Slater 1817-1889 was an instrument maker based in London
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