ate from the leader that the services have
been efficiently performed up to the date; and the remainder on and
rateably up to the day of the return of the expedition to
Melbourne, and no more. And each of the said persons hereby lastly
agrees, on failure on his part fully to perform this agreement,
that his salary shall be forfeited, and that he shall abide all
consequences, the power of discharge vesting with the leader, and
the power of dismissal and forfeiture of salary resting on the
recommendation of the leader with the said David Elliott Wilkie,
acting with the consent of the said committee. In witness whereof
the said parties have hereunto set their hands the day and year
above written.

George James Landells--in charge of camels, second in command.

William John Wills--as surveyor and astronomical observer, third in
command.

Herman Beckler--medical officer and botanist.

Ludwig Becker--artist, naturalist, and geologist.

Charles J. Ferguson--foreman.

Thomas F. McDonagh--assistant.

William Paton--assistant.

Patrick Langan--assistant.

Owen Cowan--assistant.

William Brake--assistant.

Robert Fletcher--assistant.

John King--assistant.

Henry Creher--assistant.

John Dickford--assistant.

And three sepoys.

Signed by all the above in the presence of

JOHN MACADAM, M.D.

ROBERT DICKSON.

Monday, the 20th of August, 1860, will be a memorable day in the
annals of Melbourne, as recording the commencement of the
expedition. It was not a false start but a bona-fide departure.
Nearly the whole population suspended ordinary business and turned
out to witness the imposing spectacle. The camels were a great
attraction. The Melbourne Herald of the 21st gave the annexed
description of the proceedings:--

Tom Campbell, in a tender moment, sang a sweet hymn to a
"Name Unknown," and many an ardent youth in and since his time, has
borrowed inspiration from the dulcet numbers of the familiar bard,
and allowed his imagination to run riot in "castle-building" upon
this simple theme. Had we the poet's gift, our enthusiasm might,
doubtless, prompt us to extol in more lofty strain the praises of
the "great unknown"--the donor of the handsome instalment of one
thousand pounds towards the organization of an expedition to
explore the terra incognita of interior Australia. But in the
absence of the favour of the Muses, dull prose must serve the
purpose we have in view. If the "unknown" were present yester