communications respecting the Victorian Exploring Expedition, as
read before the committee of the Royal Society, there can be little
doubt but that the judgment pronounced on Mr. Landells remains
unaltered. He deserted his leader on the eve of the fight; and such
an act, so subversive of all discipline, and so far from the
thoughts of the smallest drummer-boy, renders all explanations
contemptible. In the present instance, Mr. Landells' explanations
make his act the more inexcusable. He is still of opinion that the
camels are indispensable to the safety of the party, and that he is
indispensable to the safety of the camels. The inference is,
therefore, that he knowingly left the party to perish. Indeed, we
should not at all enter into an examination of Mr. Landells'
letter, but that it may enable us to form some opinion as to the
prospects of the expedition itself, and as to the suitability of
Mr. Burke for its leadership.

The charges brought against Mr. Burke by his late lieutenant,
comprise almost everything that a commander should not be guilty
of. His acts of commission and omission comprehend everything that
a bad general could possibly commit or omit, and Mr. Landells winds
up his bad qualities by asserting that he "cultivates the spy
system," and treats his men like a parcel of "convicts." Not only
is he "ungentlemanly" to his officers and "interfering with the
best interests of the party"--not only has he "displayed such a
want of judgment, candour, and decision;" but he has also shown, in
addition to these and many other shortcomings, "such an entire
absence of any and every quality which should characterize him as
its leader, as has led to the conviction in my own mind that under
his leadership the expedition will be attended by the most
disastrous results."