My children were then young and dependent upon me.

They required to attend school--for education is a thing that parents must not neglect, with a view to the future.

However, about the year 1875, my attention was called to a cheap instrument advertised by Solomon--what he called his '5L.

telescope.' I purchased one, and it tantalised me; for the power of the instrument was such as to teach me nothing of the surface of the planets.

After using it for about two years, I sold it to a student, and then found that I had accumulated enough savings to enable me to buy my present instrument.