NORFOLK ISLAND, in the Southern Pacific Ocean, is fifteen miles in circumference. It was discovered in 1774 by Captain Cook, who found it uninhabited. It has a remarkably fruitful soil; the whole country is clothed with verdure, and presents a scene of most exuberant fertility. It is described by Turnbull, who visited it in 1801, as being so uniformly fertile, that, with the exception of the mountains overhanging the sea, it would be difficult to find one spot less fertile than another. This island was colonized shortly after that of Port Jackson, by Governor Philips, who sent thither the more profligate division of the colonists; and the most abandoned convicts were afterwards sent to the same place. One great objection to the island as a colonial settlement is the difficulty of approaching it, in consequence of the mountainous sea which constantly beats on its rocky shores, so that ships from Port Jackson have often been obliged to beat off and on for upwards of a month, and found themselves still as distant as ever from all communication with the shore. This circumstance, and the want of any harbour or roadstead for shipping, is much against the island; and hence, in 1805, it was found necessary to remove the colonists and convicts either to Port Dalrymple or to the river Derwent. The population amounts to 1000. Long. 168. 10. E. Lat. 29. 3. S.