camel at starting was objected to, and extra vehicles had to be procured—­the horses and the camels were securely packed, and their loads properly adjusted.  Artists, reporters, and favoured visitors were all the time hurrying and scurrying hither and thither to sketch this, to take a note of that, and to ask a question concerning t’other.  It is needless to say, that occasionally ludicrous replies were given to serious questions, and in the bustle of hurried arrangements, some very amusing contretemps occurred.  One of the most laughable was the breaking loose of a cantankerous camel, and the startling and upsetting in the “scatter” of a popular limb of the law.  The gentleman referred to is of large mould, and until we saw his tumbling feat yesterday, we had no idea that he was such a sprightly gymnast.  His down-going and up-rising were greeted with shouts of laughter, in which he good-naturedly joined.  The erring camel went helter-skelter through the crowd, and was not secured until he showed to admiration how speedily can go “the ship of the desert.”

It was exactly a quarter to four o’clock when the expedition got into marching order.  A lane was opened through the crowd, and in this the line was formed; Mr. Burke on his pretty little grey at the head.  The Exploration Committee of the Royal Society, together with a distinguished circle of visitors, amongst whom were several of our most respectable colonists and their families, took up a position in front.

The Mayor of Melbourne then mounted one of the drays, and said:  Mr. Burke—­I am fully aware that the grand assemblage, this day, while it has impeded your movements in starting, is at the same time a source of much gratification to you.  It assures you of the most sincere sympathy of the citizens. (Hear, hear.) I will not detain you; but for this great crowd, and on behalf of the colony at large, I say—­God speed, you! (Cheers.) His Worship then called for “three cheers for Mr. Burke,” “three cheers for Mr. Landells,” and “three cheers for the party itself,” which, it is needless to say, were responded to with all the energy and enthusiasm that are the characteristics of popular assemblages.  He then concluded with again saying, “God speed and bless you!”

Mr. Burke (uncovered) said, in a clear earnest voice that was heard all over the crowd: 

Mr. Mayor,—­On behalf of myself and the Expedition I beg to return you my most sincere thanks.  No expedition has ever started under such favourable circumstances as this.  The people, the Government, the committee—­all have done heartily what they could do.  It is now our turn; and we shall never do well till we justify what you have done in showing what we can do. (Cheers.)