le
were en the qui vive. "What was to be done next? Who was to be the
leader? When would the party start?" Mr. Nicholson had by this time
taken the place of Mr. O'Shannassy, and he hit on the unfortunate
expedient of delegating to the Royal Society of Melbourne the
direction of this important expedition. I say unfortunate, because,
by this arrangement, the opinions to be consulted were too numerous
to expect unanimity. It is true they elected a special committee,
which included some who were well qualified for the duty, and
others who were less so; but, good or bad, the old adage of "too
many cooks" was verified in this instance. Had they all been
excellent judges, the course was still objectionable, as divided
responsibility falls on no one.

The first point to be settled was the choice of a leader. Meeting
after meeting was held, and I must do them the justice to say that,
on the whole, no thoroughly unexceptionable candidate offered
himself. The necessary combination of physical and scientific
requisites was not readily found. The question therefore fell into
abeyance for a time on that account. But at length, and after a
considerable delay, Robert O'Hara Burke, Esquire, police inspector
at the Beechworth district, and afterwards at Castlemaine, was
appointed to the post. He was in his fortieth year, experienced,
active, and well-connected, of one of the old Galway families, and
had held a commission as lieutenant in the Austrian army; on
quitting which service, he procured an appointment in the Irish
constabulary. There he was so beloved by his men, that several
resigned when he left for Australia and accompanied him, in the
hope of still serving under their favourite commander. He was a
brave and true man, covetous of honour, but careless of profit; one
who would have sought reputation "even in the cannon's mouth." With
his name that of my poor son is indelibly conjoined. From all I
have since collected from King, their only surviving companion, Mr.
Burke loved my son as a brother; and William, writing of him, says:
"The more I see of Mr. Burke the more I like him;" and he wrote
with caution, adopted no hasty opinions, and seldom changed them
when once formed.

Mr. Burke's appointment called forth discussions and strong
comments in the Melbourne papers. Gentlemen who considered their
own qualifications as superior to his, and their friends who
thought with them, expressed their opinions with more ardour than
j