Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-11-21
NEWS, POLITICS. &c.
From the New York AmerIcan.
A LIVE MERMAID. AND NO MISTAKE
A prod glous excitement prevails in Ire

A prod glous excitement prevails IN Ire
land, especially in the North. in conse
quence ofah actual Hriag Mermaid, which
was recently caught in a salmon net AT
Honneraw Point, in the county Of Done
gal. There can be DO mistake in this
fact, as five or SIX papers corroborate Il
in the important points; but the Derry
Sentinel and the Fermanagh Journal
are the most enthusiastic and particular
in their descriptions. The first announce
ment appeared in the Sentinel, as fol-
| lows:
I A MERMAID, AND NO MIsTAKE--A
very general disbelefin the existence OF
the Mermaid is likely to receive u severe
shock, from the truth of the following
statements A creature in every respect,
answering the usual description OF the
sea. woman" was caught lately in the
salmon nets at Honneraw Point, near Fa-
han, county Donegal. She is at present
under the protection of a gentleman otthat
neighborhood, who has kindly permitted
| the country people, who are flocking IN
| hundreds about the place, to "see and be-
| ieve."
| The members Of the Londonderry Nat
ural History Society, we understand, are
to investigate this extraordinary phenom-
enon, for the purpose OF sending an lmme-
diate report of their observations 10 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 d present 10 the Queen; u
not, the body will be preserved IN spirits,
and will grace the now forming museum
OF our local Society. A minute descrip-
ton shall be given in our next.
The effect ofthis notice was, that at
least fourth of all the inhabitants ofDer-
nv, who could afford the expense, procee-
ded in IA body to Honneraw, where they
we're admitted to an inspection OF the SIN
puIar creature, which is thus described 10
the Fermnnagh journal:
The MERMAID. This is certainly
sea-tconsGa, and has such N expression oil
Indifference in its counteRance, that we
are absolutely inclined 10 believe that II
is a creature of reason, rather than of in
sfiact. We do not mean 10 lnsnuate that
il has any notion oil abstract ldeas; out
the fact is, that there is an appearance oil
confusion about it that would seem 10 IN
dIcate sentiments of shame, fear, and sup
plication. Ii weighs about seventy pounds,
and is altogether human in lis OUTWARD or
oanizaton from the head 10 the navel,
when the fins begin TO develop itself, and
the remainder is formed very like the ex
tremty ola large dolphin. The skin Of
the face AMI the breast is whitlsh brown;
the ewes are black, and the nose purely
aquilne and its eyebrows, lips, and chin
are models for a sculptor the hair is long
and thick, and the creatures principal
amusement seems 10 be to stroke 1t down.
ward with her webbed, but otherwise per-
feet fingers.
1t looks to be twelve or fourteen years
old, and regards people. occasionally, as
if it had an inclination TO speak; and we
are solemnly of opinion that, when IN It's
native element, it makes It's wishes known
through The medium of its tongue. Alto.
gether, indeed, it is the most singular be-
ine we ever Witnessed, and excites teei-
ngs in the breasts of beholders, at least
as much akin TO awe as 10 curiosity
Can It have a soul and be an accountable
creature At all events, we shall exam
inc it closely this week. and report par
iiculars.
THE DECLARATION OF THE CANADIANS.
A manifesto has been issued by the III
surgents IN Lower Canada, declaratory oil
their objects, of which the following is a
copy: -
DECLARATION.
WHEREAS the solemn covenant made
with the people flower and Upper Can
ada. and recorded in the Statute Book OF
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, as the 3lst Chapter OF the Act
passed in the 3lst year of the Reign oil
King George III, hath been continually
violated by the British Government, ana
our rights usurped; and whereas our hum
BILE petitions, addresses, protests, ard re-
monstrances against this injurious apd
unconstitutional interference, have aeen
made in vain, and the British Governnehi
hath disposed Cf our revenue without lhs
constitutional consent of the Local Lesls-
lature, pillaged our Treasury, arrested
great numbers OF our citizens, end COM
United them to prison, distributed through
the country mercenary army, whose
presence is accompanied by CONSERVATION
and alarm, whose track is red with blood
of our people, who have laid our villages
in ashes, profaned our Temples, and spread
terror and waste throughout the land
And whereas we can no longer suffer the
tepeated violations ofour dearest rights,
and patiently support the multiplied out
.,,ol,;ae of tho Government of