of this, he demanded a salary considerably exceeding that of the
leader, or refused to go. When Mr. Burke found that this point was
to be discussed at the next meeting, he, with his usual high and
liberal spirit, requested that no obstacle might be raised on that
account. We shall presently see how Mr. Landells repaid his leader,
and proved himself worthy of this disinterestedness. My son
tendered his services as astronomer and guide, not at the moment
thinking of or desiring any distinct post of command, his object
being exclusively scientific. He had been for some time assistant
to Professor Neumayer at the Magnetic Observatory, was a seasoned
bushman, with great powers of endurance, and felt that he could
discharge the duties he wished to undertake. He was not aware,
until I informed him on his going into the Society's room to sign
the contract, that any command had been allotted to him, neither
did he stipulate for salary; but in consequence of Dr. Ludwig
Becker demanding an advance of pay, on the sum first fixed, my
son's was raised from 250 to 300 pounds per annum. The next
appointments were Dr. Ludwig Becker, as naturalist and artist, and
Dr. Herman Beckler as botanist and medical adviser to the
expedition. These were scarcely more fortunate than that of Mr.
Landells. The first named of these gentlemen was physically
deficient, advanced in years, and his mode of life in Melbourne had
not been such as to make up for his want of youth. I do not mean to
imply by this that he indulged in irregular or dissipated habits.
He possessed a happy gift of delineating natural objects with the
pencil, but died before passing the boundaries of civilization,
from causes unconnected with want or fatigue. Dr. Herman Beckler,
who has since returned to his native country, was neither a man of
courage, energy, nor of medical experience. He resigned when Mr.
Landells did, and, as will be seen, for a very poor reason. His