Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1838-11-15
From tic Ne,n York Examiner.

"A LIVE h hRMAlD, AND NO WISTAKE.-
A prodisious excitement prevails in Ire
land, especially in the North; in conse-
quence of an actual living Mermaid. which
was recently caught in a salmon net AT
HaDneraw Point, in the county Of Done
gal. There eau be no mistake in this fact
as five or six papers corroboratc it, in the
important points, but the derry Sentinel"
and the "Fermenagti Journal" are the
most enthusiastic and particular in their
descriptions. The first announcement ap-
peared in the Sentinel. as follows:
4 mermaid, and no misf0ke,-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 descrip ption Of tho ".ea woman," was
caught lately in the salmon nets at Hume
raw Point, near Fahan, county Donegal
She is at present under the projection of
gentleman ofthat neighborhood. who has
kindly permitted the country people. who
are flockiug in hundreds about the place, TO
''see and believe" The members Of the
Londonderry Natural History Society. we
understand, are to investigate this extraor-
dinarv phenomenon, for the purpose of
sending nn immediate report Of their OBJ
seryaiions to Tho British Associa,iop. sitting
at Newcastle. We understand that if the
novel monster should survive the sudden
change in her situation. she will be sen: to
Viscount Melbourne as a present 10 the
Queen; if not, the body will be preserved
in spirits, and will grace the now forming
museum or our local society,""
The effect Of this notice was, that at
least a fourth Of all the inhabitants of Der.
ry. who could afford the expense, procee-
ded in body to Honeraw, where thew
were admitted to an inspection of the sin.
sular creature; which is thus described i'm
the Fermanagh Journal.
The Mermaid.-This is certainly q sea
,oomdn; aud has such an expression of in
teftgence in its continuance, that we are
absolutely inclined 10 believe that it Is q
| creature o! reason, rather than Of instinct.
! we 40 uot mean to insinuaic that it has
any notion Of abstract ideas; but the FAC
Is, that there is an appearance of confu-
sion about it that would seem 10 indicate G
sentiments Of shame, fear aud suppcation
Ii weighs about seventy pounds, and is al.
together human in its out,card organization
from the head to the navel. where the fish
begins to develope itself. and the remain
large dolphin. The skin Of the face and
the breast is a whitish brown-the ewes
arc black, and the nose purely aquline;
aud its eye brows, lips and chin. are mod
els for a sculptor. The hair is long and
thick; and the Creatures principal amuse
Inent is TO stroke il downward with her
webbed, but otherwise. very perfect fin
gers. 1t looks to he twelve ar fourteen
years old; and regards people. .occ asionallv
as lift had an inclination to speak; and we
are solemnly Of the opinion that. when il
its native element, it makes its wishe:
known through the medium ofits tongue
Altogether indeed, II is the most singula,
being we ever Witnessed, and excites fee
lines in The behol1ers. at least as mucf
akin TO awe as to curiosity. Can it hav.
a soul, aud he an accountable creature
At all events, we shall examine il closel,
this week, ana report particulars"
We shall look with great anxiety fo
our next files Of Irish papers. on the receip
of which we trust TO he able to furnish tho
readers of The Examiner with sorne fulle,
information in relation to this surprising
phenomenon.