The native American., 1838-11-24
From the New York american.
A LIVE MERMAID AND NO MISTAKE


| Aprodigous excitement prevails in Ireland, es-
pecially in the North, in consequence of an actual
hOang Mermaid, which was recently caught in
salmon net, at Honneraw Point, in the county
| OF Donegal. There can be no mistake in this
fact, five six papers corroborate it in the i'm
portant points; but the "Dery Sentinel and the
sFermanagh Journal are the most enthusiastic
and particular in their descriptions. The first
announcement appeared in the Sentinel, as fol-
lows:
"A Mermaid, and no mistake.-A very general
disbelief in the existence of the Mermaid is likely
to receive severe shock, from the truth Of the
following statement: A creature in every respect
answering the usual description of the ''sea wo-
man." was caught lately in the salmon nets, at
Honneraw Point, near Fahan, county Donegal.
She is at present under the protection of gentle
man Of that neighborhood, who has kindly per-
mitted the country people, who are focking in
hundreds about the place, to "see and believe"
The members of the Londonderry Natural His
tory Society, we understand, are to investigate
this extraordinary phenomenon, for the purpose of
sending an immediate report of their observations
to the British Association, sitting at Newcastle.
We understand that, if the novel monster should
survive the sudden change in her situation, she
will be sent to Viscount Melbourne as present
to the Queen; if not the body will be preserved
in spirits, and will grace the now forming museum
Of our local Society. A minute description shall
be given in our next.
The effect of this notice was, that at least a
fourth of all the inhabitants of Derry, who could
afford the expense, proceeded in body to Home
raw, where they were admitted to an inspection
Of the singular creature, which is thus described
in the Fermanagh Journals
The Mermaid-This is certainly sea aDo-
man, and has such an expression of intelligence
in its countenarace, that we are absolutely inclined
to believe that it is creature of reason, rather
than of instinct. We do not mean to insinuate
that it has any notion of abstract ideas; but the
fact is, that there is no appearance of confusion
about it that would seem to indicate sentiments of
shame, fear, and supplication. 1t weighs about
seventy pounds, and is altogether human in its
outaOard organization from the head to the navel,
when the fins begin to develop themselves and the
extremity is formed very like the extremity Of a
large dolphin. The skin Of the face and the breast
is a whitish brown; the eyes are black, and the
nose purely acquiline; and its eyebrows, lips, and
chin, are models for sculptor; the hair is long
and thick, the creatures principal amusement
seems to be to stroke it downward with her web
bed, but otherwise perfect fingers.
1t looks to be twelve or fourteen years old, and
regards people occasionally as if it had an i,cl-
nation, to speak; and we are solennly OF opinion
that, when in its native element, it makes its WISH
es known through the medium ofits tongue. AL
together, indeed, it is the most singular being we
ever witnessed, and exctes feelings in the breast
of beholders, at least as much akin to awe as to
curiosity. Can it have a soul and be an account
able creature? At all events, we shall examine
it closely this week, and report particulars
We shall look with great anxiety, for our next
files of Irish papers, on the receipt of which we
trust to be able to furnish the readers of The Ex-
aminer with some fuller information in relation
to this surprising phenomenon.