I offered
my services for one, but the meeting adjourned without coming to
any decision, and was followed by other indefinite meetings and
adjournments de die in diem.
On the following day, Dr. Macadam, Honorary Secretary, attended
(the press of the morning had incited movement) and announced the
welcome intelligence that Mr. A. Howitt was in Melbourne; that he
had seen him; that he was ready to go on the shortest notice. So
far all was good. But now I saw the full misery and imbecility of
leaving a large body to decide what should have been delegated to a
quorum of three at the most. The meetings took place regularly, but
the same members seldom attended twice. New illusions and conceits
suggested themselves as often as different committee-men found it
convenient to deliver their opinions and vouchsafe their presence.
Let me here specially except Ferdinand Mueller, M.D. and F.R.S., of
London, who though a foreigner, a Dane by birth, I believe, has won
by his talents that honourable distinction. His energy in all he
undertakes is untiring and unsurpassable. On this occasion he was
ever active and unremitting, while his sympathy and kindness to
myself have never varied from the first day of our acquaintance.
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