Mormon, no matter what their religious faith may be, agree in mathematics, if in nothing else.  But I must now tell you something of your undutiful son.  I am learning surveying under Mr. F. Byerly, a very superior man indeed.  In fact I could not have had a better master had he been made to order, for he is a first-rate surveyor, and we are exactly suited to each other in our general ideas; and this, to tell the truth, is a rare chance for me.

I am getting 150 pounds per annum, and rations, but I hope in twelve months to have a party of my own.  It is just the sort of life for me, nearly always in the bush marking out land for sale, or laying down unknown parts.  It is quite a different thing from surveying in England.  Glendaruel is fifteen miles from Ballaarat.  I saw the Doctor and Tom a few days since.  They were quite well; I hope you are so also.  Love to all.

Your affectionate son,

W.J.  Wills.

. . .

He was appointed to the charge of a field party before the time he expected.  I was anxious to give him a set of surveying instruments, and requested him to send me a list and an order to the best London maker for such as he wanted.  He transmitted the following letter, which marks the progress of his knowledge, to be forwarded to Messrs. Troughton and Sims, Fleet Street.  I obtained it very recently from that house.

March 20th, 1857.

Sirs,

I shall be much obliged by your executing the following order as quickly as possible, and at your most reasonable prices.

1.  One four-inch theodolite, best construction:  21 pounds.

2.  One of Troughton’s best reflecting circles, eight-inch radius, divided on silver:  23 pounds.

3.  One prismatic compass, three and a-half inch, with silver ring:  5 pounds 5 shillings.

4.  One six-inch semicircular protractor, with Vernier:  3 pounds 3 shillings.

5.  One glass plane artificial horizon, ordnance pattern:  4 pounds 4 shillings.

6.  One brass rolling parallel ruler, two feet long; must not weigh less than five pounds.

7.  One twelve-inch brass sector:  1 pound.

8.  One set of six-inch ivory plotting-scales, with offset scales complete:  4 pounds.

9.  Two steel straight-edges, three feet each.

10.  Four sixty feet land chains.

11.  One small compact case of good sector-jointed, drawing instruments with ivory parallel ruler:  3 pounds 3 shillings.

12.  One very small achromatic telescope of the strongest make, not to exceed six inches in length, when closed:  1 pound.

13.  A small chemical blowpipe with ivory mouthpiece, and two platina tips; also some platina foil and wire.

14.  Two Nautical Almanacs, 1858 and 1859.

Leather cases and straps for theodolite, circle, and prismatic compass.  A catalogue of instruments with prices.