CHAPTER V.
General remarks--Result of the expedition--Previous anticipations-- Mr.Oxley's remarks--Character of the Rivers flowing westerly-- Mr.Cunningham's remarks--Fall of the Macquarie--Mr.Oxley's erroneous conclusions respecting the character of the interior, naturally inferred from the state in which he found the country--The marsh of the Macquarie merely a marsh of the ordinary character--Captain King's observations-- Course of the Darling--Character of the low interior plain--The convict Barber's report of rivers traversing the interior--Surveyor-General Mitchell's Report of his recent expedition.
RESULT OF THE EXPEDITION.
Whether the discoveries that have been made during this expedition, will ultimately prove of advantage to the colony of New South Wales, is a question that time alone can answer.

We have in the meanwhile to regret that no beneficial consequences will immediately follow them.

The further knowledge that has been gained of the interior is but as a gleam of sunshine over an extensive landscape.

A stronger light has fallen upon the nearer ground, but the distant horizon is still enveloped in clouds.

The veil has only as it were been withdrawn from the marshes of the Macquarie to be spread over the channel of the Darling.