G.I.B.

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THE THREE KINGS’ ISLANDS, OFF NEW ZEALAND.

These islands have a barren aspect, are of moderate height, and may be seen on a clear day at a distance of twenty-five miles.  They lie in an angular position, in a north, south, and east direction.  The eastern island is the longest, and may be a mile in length; the other two are about equal, both in size and height, and may be about a quarter of a mile in length.  At the south-east end of the western island, adjoining are several high rocks, which at a distance of seven or eight miles have the appearance of separate islets:  these rocks extend five or six miles to the E.N.E., with the sea breaking a little without them.

On the east side of the largest of these islands there is reported to be a small, sandy bay, where a boat could land in fine weather.  In it there is a good spring of fresh water, some goats, and abundance of wild celery.  These islands do not appear to occupy more space than eight miles from north to south, and nearly the same distance from east to west.  There is no danger to be apprehended at the distance of two miles on the south side, as we passed them at that distance.[3]—­Mr. G.B.’s Journ. of New Zealand, March 28, 1829.

    [3] A current was experienced off these islands, setting S.S.W. at
        the rate of three miles an hour.  The day previous to making the
        land, a strong current appeared to set from the N.W.

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EFFECTS OF FRIGHT.

Amongst the various afflictions which have been produced on nervous persons and young children, by being suddenly frightened, it is probably not generally known that loss of hearing is not one of the least unfrequent.  In Mr. Curtis’s new work on the Diseases of the Ear, two cases are related in which children were alarmed:  in the one instance, by being put into a dark cellar by a servant, and in the other by being frightened by an elder sister; and in both of these cases the effect was such that total deafness ensued.  The former case was attended with the loss of speech.  These cases are mentioned to show the danger and impropriety of children being frightened by servants or others, as it is an evil the effects of which remain a long time, sometimes until death—­not unfrequently producing fits, and a long train of diseases.—­From a Correspondent.

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AFRICAN EXPEDITION.

The literary and scientific world will hear with much interest that two enterprising individuals, of the name of Colthurst and Tyrwhitt, gentlemen by birth and education, are about to proceed immediately to Africa at their own expense, with a view of exploring the interior of that country.  Their intention is to proceed from Benin, on the western coast, through to Egypt, their object being to solve the problem of the mighty Nile.  They have our best wishes for the success of so noble and spirited an enterprise.—­Times.