ands with them, and calling them friends.
(Applause.) He was proud of these men, and all whom he was addressing
must be proud of them also. They were worthy of esteem, they were
entitled to applause; and mean, base, ineffably shabby, stupidly mean and
base was the soul--if such a soul there were--that questioned their merit
or grudged them a meet reward. (Applause.) He was delighted to have the
opportunity of looking upon the two great heroes, Landsborough and
McKinlay. They had undertaken and accomplished great things. Without
deliberation they undertook the arduous task assigned them and faced its
hazards. They had to contemplate hard privations, and it might be
disease, accident, or even a lingering and lonely death. These were the
terms--the necessary terms--on which they engaged in their uncertain and
perilous speculation. They went forth not knowing whither they went; but
their Heavenly Father watched over them and protected them from dangers,
seen and unseen. He was especially struck with the providence of God in
the case of McKinlay. The flood of waters which troubled him might have
been a deluge to sweep him away, but, by the gracious overruling
providence of God his life was preserved, and he was now in their midst.
Both Landsborough and McKinlay had returned none the worse for wear, but
fresh and blooming, he would say, for the tan which they got from the sun
seemed to him to be the richest of blooms. (Laughter.) They were the very
models of fine, stalwart men. He thanked God for it, who was the author
of all their talents and all their gifts. Their wonderful success, under
God, was attributable to their foresight, prudence, and for want of a
better word he would say their bush experience. From the energy,
sagacity, and unwearied patience which they had exercised the public had
learnt some new things. From Mr. McKinlay they had learnt that it was
possible to drive a flock of silly sheep all the way to Carpentaria and
eat them up one by one at leisure. (Laughter.) They had further learnt
that old horse was very palatable beef to a hungry man, and that boiled
camel was a savoury morsel in a weary wilderness. (Renewed laughter.)
From Mr. Landsborough they had learnt the important lesson that it was
most wise to rest and refresh both man and beast upon that seventh day
which had been ordained us a universal blessing. (Hear, hear.) He quite
enjoyed hearing of Mr. Landsborough and his men luxuriating on a
breakfast o