ia, by an overland
party despatched in that direction. Indeed, both attempts should be
made simultaneously, and with the least possible delay. The present
period of the year is most propitious for the inland journey, both
on account of the abundance of water and the moderate temperature
incident to the winter season. There should not be a moment lost,
then, in forwarding this portion of the search; and the coasting
portion of it should be commenced as soon after as possible.

The sufferings to which the unhappy men are exposed will be
understood from Mr. Wright's report of what befell the party under
his charge. They were prostrated by scurvy, as well as being
additionally enfeebled by the irregular supply of water. And at
length four of their number, worn out by their sufferings, perished
by a wretched, lingering death in the wilderness. There is
something deeply melancholy in such a fact. Poor Becker! He had
scarcely the physique for encountering the toils of such an
expedition. However, regrets over the past are vain. What is of
importance now is to save the remainder of the party, if possible.
And perhaps the best way of opening up the search inland would be
for the committee to avail themselves of Mr. Howitt's offer to
proceed at once, with an enlarged party, including Mr. Brahe, to
Cooper's Creek, and thence to Eyre's Creek, and northwards towards
the coast, should they not previously have encountered Mr. Burke
and his companions on their return.

It is somewhat disheartening to find that when Mr. Wright returned
for the last time to the Cooper's Creek depot, namely, so recently
as the first week in May--that is, five months after Burke set out
on his final excursion--he did not think it necessary to make any
examination of the country, as far at least as Eyre's Creek. It
might naturally be supposed that on finding, by examining the
concealed stores, that Mr. Burke had not revisited the depot, Mr.
Wright would endeavour to make some search for him, to the extent
of a few days' journey at all events. Before turning their back
finally upon the solitude where their companions were wandering,
one last search might have well been made. But perhaps the disabled
condition of the men, horses, and camels may be taken to account
for this seeming neglect. It may not be too late even now, however,
to make amends for this strange oversight, by hastening on Mr.
Howitt's party. The whole expedition appears to have been one
p