Page:The founding of South Australia.djvu/158

 them. They were found correct, and a letter was ordered to be written to each member for his share of the expense. D. Wakefield wrote the accompanying letter, which excited no little surprise:—

", " March 17th, 1835.

",

"Supposing that the meeting of the Association at 4 o'clock to-day, which I regret that a prior engagement will prevent me from attending, is for the purpose of winding-up the business, I beg leave to say that I shall be ready to pay my share of the expenses incurred, when informed of the amount. I regret, in common with hundreds with whom I have conversed on the subject, the total failure of the project after the signal victory obtained over ignorance and prejudice in getting the Act of Parliament. "I am, sir, your obedient servant, " ", Hon. Sec."

"March 21st.—The negotiation still at rest. The Treasury appears to resemble the Court of Chancery as far as delay goes."

Mr. D. Wakefield was totally wrong in the conclusion to which he had jumped. There was no "winding-up of the business" in contemplation, and his conversation "with hundreds" on the "total failure of the project" was as prejudicial to the interests of the Association as it was untrue. It was a part of Mr. Gouger's "luck" to he associated with men who would cry "Wolf, wolf!" when there was no wolf, and