NEW SOUTH WALES. 175 



In the pursuit of his researches, he wandered from the party, and 

 did not return. As soon as he was missed, the native guides were 

 sent in search of him, but returned without having succeeded in find- 

 ing his traces. Major Mitchell then instituted a fresh search, in 

 which the tracks of Mr. Cunningham's horse were found, and followed 

 for ninety miles. Within this space three places were seen where he 

 had stopped and encamped. From the last of these, the tracks of the 

 horse were again followed, until the carcass of the animal was found 

 dead through fatigue and starvation, with the whip tied to the bridle, 

 and all his accoutrements about hirn. Retracing their steps to his 

 last encampment, they ascertained, on close examination, that he had 

 there killed his dog for food, and his footsteps were seen as if making 

 rapid strides for the bed of a river, which he had followed to a pool, 

 into which he had plunged. Farther down the river, some shells 

 were found near the remains of a fire, which had evidently been 

 kindled by a white man. Here all further traces of him were lost, 

 and the search abandoned in despair. 



Some months afterwards, a second search was made, by Lieutenant 

 Vouch. In the course of this, some natives were taken near the 

 Brogan river, in whose possession a part of Mr. Cunningham's 

 clothing was found. They stated that a white man had come to 

 them in a state of great exhaustion ; that he was hungry and they fed 

 him, but that during the night they had become afraid, and killed 

 him. The body was never found. 



Lieutenant Vouch inferred that Mr. Cunningham had become 

 deranged by the severity of his sufferings, and that this had caused 

 him to wander about at night, which, with other suspicious move- 

 ments, had alarmed the natives, who, under the influence of their 

 terrors, had murdered him. 



Thus ended the useful life of one who had raised himself to eminence 

 by his own exertions, and had, by his virtues and scientific acquire- 

 ments, gained the esteem of all the pure and good of the colony, by 

 whom he will be long affectionately and honourably remembered. 



These grounds have many pleasant shady walks, and afford an 

 agreeable promenade for the inhabitants of Sydney ; and one of them 

 encircles the whole, with occasionally a rural seat and arbour.* 



The aspect of the country around Sydney is sufficient to prove 



* At the end of the walk around the government domain, the following inscription is 

 calculated to excite a smile : " Be it recorded, that this road round the inside of the 

 government domain, called Mrs. Macquarie's Road, so called by the Governor on 



