The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-07-17

in veneration and dread by the Indians who ina
CINE that the killing II would be attended with the
most caamltous consequences. II is from this CIR
cumstance that OF these animals have been
shot, and, consequently, not examined but at a dis
lance They have been generally observed in a
sitting posture in the water none of the lower
extremity being discovered until they are dis
turbed; when, by punsins, the tail appears, and
agltates the water to considerable distance.
round They have been always seen employed in
smoothing their hair, or stroking their faces and
breasts with their hands, or something resembling
hands, In this posture, and thus employed, they
have been frequently taken for Indian women bath
ing. MIR. Van Battenburghs account was much
corroboratsd by that OF ssme gentlemen settled in
Mafaycony and Abary. Captain Stedman, in his
Narrative OF the Expedition against the Revolted
Negroes of Surnam, from I772 to 1777, (vol ii. p.
176 maintains, lat the animal called a mermaid,
is really and truly viviparoas fish, the female of
which is furnished with breasts that the appear
ance of hair IL a deception proceeding from a fin
running down the back, OF "A curious construction
that the hands are ileshy inns, Nc. But Is TO be
observed, that he drew his information from old ne
groes and Indians whose remarks may suppose,
were not very accurate, especially as they were,
while looking al the animal under the influence of
dread. The reader may compare this with Lord
Monboddo's curious relations and believe much
as he chooses of IT: as what | have said comes
from very respectable authority, thought 1t merit
AT Sandside, in the parish of Reay, in the county
OF Caithness there was seen, the 18th of Janu-
airy, 1909, an animal supposed to be the mermaid.
| lne mead ana the chest beng all that visible.
exactly resembed those of a full grown young wo-
man The breasts were perfectly formed the arms
longer than in the human body, and the eyes some
what smaller: When the waves dashed the hair.
which was of a sea-green shade, over the face the
hands were Immediately employed to replace it.
The skin OF pink color. Though observedby
several persons within the distance of twenty yards,
for about an hour and halt 1t discovered no symp
toms OF alarm. II was seen by four or live indvl
duals, OF unquestionabe vefacity at the same time
Something OF the same kind was observed IN the
same neighborhood, about seven or eight years
before, by gentleman then residing near the
spot
A young man, named John M'Isaac, of Corphine,
IN kintyre, IN Scotland, made oath examinations
at Campelown, before the sheriti-substue OF Kin
tyre, that he saw the afternoon of the 18th Of
October, 1911, black rock on the sea coast
an animal, of the particulars of which he gives
long and curious detail, answering description
commonly given to the mermaid; He states that
the upper half oft was white, and of the shape of
human body; the other halt, towards the tall of a
brlndled or reddish-gray color, apparently covered
with scales; but the extremity of the tail itself
OF greenlsh-red shining color; that the head was
covered with long hair; at times it would put back
the hair on both sides of his head: il would also
spread its tail like fan; and while so extended
the tail continued in tremulous motion, and when
drawn together again. II remained motlonless, and
appeared To the deponent To be about twelve or
fourteen inches broad: that the hair was long and
light brown; that the animal was between four end
five feet long; that II had head, hair arms and
body, down TO the middle like human being; that
the arms were short In proportion TO the body,
which appeared be about the thickness of that ola
young lad. and taperng gradually TO the point of the
tail that when slroSipg It's head, as above mem
toned, the fingers kept close together SO that
he cannot say whether they were wcbbed or not
tlat he saw It for neartwo hours, the rock which
lay being dry that after the had far retired
TO leave the rock dry TO The height of five feet
above the water, ii tumbled clumslly into the sea
minute after he observed the animal above water,
and then he saw every feature OF its lace, having all
eyes. The checks were of the same color with the
| rest OF the face; the neck seemed short; and it
was constantly with both hands stroking and wash
ing lis breast, which was half immersed in the
water: he, therefore, cannot say whether Its bosom
was formed like a woman's or not He saw no
| other fins feet upon 1t bat described Ii
| continued above water Tor few minutes, and then
| disappeared lie was informed that some boys a
ncighboring farm saw similar creature in the sea,
close to the shore, the same day. The minister
Of Campbeltown, and the chamberlain of Null, at
test his examination, and declare they know no
| reason why his veraclty should be questioned.
Mr.. Toupin, of Exmouh published the following
account OF his having mermaid, in the local
1 London newspapers: "1he day, august llth,
1921 being very fine, Joined party OF ladies and
| gentlemen in sailing excursion. When we had
got about mile 10 the southeast Of Exmouth- Bar
our attention was suddenly arrested by a very sin
gnlar noise, by no unps asant to the ear, but
Oh which 1t Is impossible to give correct idea by
| mere description. IL not, however, unapily
compared by ono ol our ladies' to be the wild mclo
d'cs OF the <Eollan harp, combined with noise 81
miiaT 10 That made by stream of water tallinl
gently on the leaves of Il tree. In The mean tim,
we observed something about one hundred yard
| from us to windward. We all imagined il 10 b.
some human being, though at the same time W,
were AZ loss To account for this, at such dstanc,
| ,roh me snore, and other boat near. Wehailed
pu' received no reply, and we made towards this
| creature rs soon as possible when, 10 the qren
aston,shment OF us all, it eluded our pursuit b,
plnnging under water. In few rinutes il ros,
again, nearly N The same place and by that tim,
TO throw INTO The water piece olbocd fish yvhicl
he had IN his locker. This seemed TO alarm ia,
animal, though II soon recovered from irs fears fn
we presently observed II TO lay hold of the fish
which il ate with apparent relish. Several ethc