The county court, after notice has been given as aforesaid, shall appoint two or more viewers, or a committee of their own body, to view the place and report the advantages and disadvantages which, in their opinion, will result, as well to individuals as to the public, from the proposed ferry, and the facts and circumstances that may be useful to enable the court to determine whether the ferry ought to be established or not. The expenses of the proceeding shall be ascertained by the court and paid by the applicant. When proper, they shall cause notice of the pendency of such application to be given, in such manner as they may direct, to the parties interested, or any of them.