s we anticipated he might do--he would possibly be heard
of there. If not, the Victoria would be still so far on her way to
the Gulf of Carpentaria--the only other goal he is likely to aim at
reaching. Two expeditions, therefore, should at once be
despatched--the party to Cooper's Creek, and the colonial steamer
round the coast. Let it not be said to our disgrace that anything
has been neglected which money or energy could have done to insure
the safety of the men who have devoted themselves to a work in
which the whole civilized world is interested, and of which, if now
carried on with success, this colony will reap all the glory. It is
a work which all men must have at heart, whether as lovers of their
fellow-men, of science, or of their country. Let it not be marred
by aught of niggardliness or supineness. The work must be well and
quickly done. The progress of Mr. Stuart and of Mr. Burke is now
watched with the warmest interest and sympathy by men of science in
Europe. Mr. Stuart is well and generously cared for by the South
Australian Government and people. What will be said if Victoria
alone, by parsimony or apathy, allowed her Exploring Expedition to
fail or her public servants to suffer unnecessary hardships, or
even death?

As to the men to whom the inland expedition is to be intrusted,
some conversation took place at the recent meeting of the
Exploration Committee. Dr. Wills, of Ballaarat, father of Mr.
Wills, second in command with Mr. Burke, was present, and offered
to accompany the party. Professor Neumayer suggested a gentleman
named Walsh, from his own office, as suitable for the enterprise;
and Dr. Embling, it is rumoured, supports Mr. Landells as a fit
person for the post of leader. We have nothing to say for or
against the two former suggestions, but this last demands notice.
We consider that Mr. Landells has already shown himself singularly
unfitted to fill a post of this kind.

. . .

Mr. Howitt's offer did away with the necessity for my pressing
to go. Although I felt tolerably confident in my own physical
powers, I should have much regretted had they failed on experiment,
and thereby retarded rather than aided the object in view. Mr.
Walsh went, but was of no service, as he lost the sight of one eye
in the first observation he attempted to make; but Mr. Howitt
proved equal to the emergency and did the work. [Footnote: A
strange incident connected with Mr. Walsh's misfortune was reported
abroa