he quitted in order to act as
assistant-surveyor on the ill-starred journey.

Sentiment, and an hysterical sentiment at that, seems to have dominated
this expedition throughout. There was no urgent necessity for Victoria to
equip and send forth an exploring expedition. Her rich and compact little
province was known from end to end, and she had no surplus territory in
which to open up fresh fields of pastoral occupation for her sons. But
her people became possessed with the exploring spirit, and the planning
and execution of the scheme was a signal indication of national
patriotism. And if sense and not sentiment had marked the counsel, the
results might have conferred rich benefit upon Australia.

The necessary funds were made up as follows: 6,000 pounds voted by
Government; 1,000 pounds presented by Mr. Ambrose Kyte; and the balance
of the first expenditure of 12,000 pounds made up by public subscription.
But the final cost of the expedition and of the relief parties amounted
to 57,000 pounds. And the exploratory work done by the different relief
parties far and away exceeded in geographical results the small amount
effected by the original expedition.

A committee of management was appointed, and to his interest with this
committee Burke owed his elevation to the position of leader. He seems to
have been supported by that sort of general testimony which fits a man to
apply for nearly any position; but of special aptitude and training for
the work to be done he had none. He was frank, openhearted, impetuous,
and endowed with all those qualities which made him a great favourite
with women; moreover, his service in the Austrian army had given people
an exaggerated notion of his ability to command and organize. It would
appear on the whole that his appointment was due solely to the influence
he wielded, and to his personal popularity.

Wills appears to have been a man gifted with many of the qualities
essential for efficient discharge of the duties and responsibilities
appertaining to the post he held; but his amiable disposition allowed him
to be influenced too readily in council by the rash and foolish judgment
of his impetuous superior. If, for instance, he had persisted in
combating Burke's incomprehensible plan of leaving the depot for Mount
Hopeless, the last fatality would never have occurred.

When the expedition left Melbourne, it was amid the shouts and hurrahs of
acclaiming thousands, who probably had not