Successful Exploration | Page 5

in
this advanced age I hope it is, and ought to be. I remember, during the
time of my own articles, that I frequently performed venesection five or
six times in a day on persons who requested and fancied they required
it; and I seldom indulged in the liberty of asking, wherefore.
In 1851, I took my son to London to show him the Great Exhibition.
His chief attractions there, were the instruments and mechanical
inventions. If, after a day or two, I chanced to deviate from the leading
thoroughfares and missed my way, he would set me right in a moment.
This was rather mortifying to one who fancied himself well acquainted
with London from frequent visits, but he smiled when he saw I was not
a true guide. I asked him how he acquired this apt knowledge. "On the
second day," he replied, "when you were out, I took the map and
studied it for two hours, so that now I am well versed in it." My
subsequent experience made me think he had some instinctive power in
matters like these, such as horses and carrier-pigeons possess, for the
darkest night never baulked him. On a visit to Windsor, being told that
it was considered a feat to climb the statue of King George the Third at
the end of the long walk, he accomplished it in a very short time. At
Hampton Court he unravelled the mystery of the Maze in ten minutes
and grew quite familiar with all its ins and outs.
In the following spring, 1852, I took him again to London, at the
opening of the session for medical students. As there was no
anatomical class he studied that branch of science by visiting the
museum at Guy's. Having myself been a student at that school, I

introduced him to my late respected teacher, Charles Aston King,
Esquire, through whom he obtained permission to attend. Surgical
operations he witnessed at the theatres of any hospital on the regular
days. The only class he entered was that of practical chemistry, under
Dr. John Stenhouse, LL.D., at Bartholomew's. When the course had
nearly terminated, I saw Dr. Stenhouse, and inquired whether my son
evinced any particular talent in that line. Dr. Stenhouse came from the
lecture-room, and walked with me through Newgate-Street into
Cheapside, earnestly requesting me not to take from him one of the
most promising pupils he had ever had. "I venture an assurance," he
said, "that in two years, in practical chemistry, he will be second to few
in England." Dr. Stenhouse at that time was engaged in analyzing the
different articles of food sold in the shops, and found my son useful and
suggestive. His testimonial ran thus:--
I have much pleasure in certifying that Mr. W.J. Wills attended a
course of practical chemistry at this medical school during the summer
season of 1852. He obtained considerable proficiency, and invariably
distinguished himself by great propriety of conduct.
(Signed) JOHN STENHOUSE LL.D., Lecturer to the Medical School
of St. Bartholomew's Hospital,
September 1st, 1852.
At the house where he lodged, kept by an old couple and their servant,
he was as one of themselves, and amused them greatly by the
discoveries he made of the tricks practised by vendors of goods in the
street; tricks they had no idea of, although they had lived in London all
their lives. They used to say he would be a great genius in the detective
department of the Police.
CHAPTER 2
.
My two sons leave England for Australia. Incidents of the Voyage.
Extracts from Journal. Arrival at Port Phillip. Melbourne. Employed as
Shepherds in the Interior. Mode of Life. Melbourne in 1853. Advice to
Immigrants. Descriptive Letters from the Bush.
DURING the summer of 1852, I formed the intention of joining the
exodus, then pouring out from England to Australia. I had been in
treaty with the "Melbourne Gold Mining Company," recently started, in

which promising speculation, on paper, I held some shares. The late
Earl of Devon was chairman. I was to go in the Sarah Sands, in my
professional capacity. My two sons, William John, and his younger
brother, were to accompany me; but on further investigation of the
modus operandi, I gave up all idea of attaching myself to the scheme,
sold my shares at a slight discount, and engaged as medical attendant
on the passengers, taking my two sons with me, in a fine new ship, the
Ballaarat, on her first voyage. This arrangement I considered final. But
a few days after William returned home, he came to me when I was
sitting alone, engaged in writing, and with that expression in his
countenance so peculiarly his own, said; "My dear father, I have a
favour to ask of you." "My dear boy,"