New-York tribune., 1886-08-25
LILLE SEA-SEKPKNT TO TIE FOREl

The evidence that the sea-serpent not only exists.
Int is actually in our midst to speak, is
increasing. If our esteemed illustrated contem-
poraries are wise in their day and generation, they
will get their cuts OF the seaserpent in readiness
for rse at a moment notice. No one knoweth
what II day may bring forth, but public expecta-
ton is all agog especially in the New-Engand
quarter of the universe and it is confidently expect
ed that the next hour. the next day, the next
week. will bring forth that long expected of many
ceDturies-the mysterious serpent which maketh
his home in the unknown recesses of the vasty deep
II needs D argument to prove that bis serpehtship
is of modest not to say retiring, disposition. His
lack of the nineteenth century quality known as
cheek is greatly to his credit. Indeed, it may
be said that modesty has marked him for its own.
He courts seclusiOn, never reads the newspapers,
and is not at all worried by the attempts that are
made from time to time to obtrude upon his
privacy. When it is alleged by profane and
babbling generation that he may be only collec-
ton of seaweed or a SC hoOl of porgies, or even a
prampus he goes on his way calm and undis
turbed and does not consider it worth his while to
denounce :he newspapers as liars and prevarica-
tors, full of dead mems bones and all manner Of
uncleanness
The latest bull 4" in the sea-serpent market at
present is Schoomaster Putnam of Boston. The
observations which he has recently made and given
to the world have produced bigger urry than
has been seen since 1S4S when a celebrated sea-
serpent was observed near the Tropis of Capricorn
and far from the coast of Africa. by the officers
and crew of the English frigate Dadalus. The
animal was swimming rapidly. and with its head
and neck constantly raised about four feet above
the water" Now after nearly forty years, during
which an eager world has only rare and uncer-
..f
modating anmal-whether fish, flesh fowl no
yet prepared to assert tpostivey-has consent
ed to show himself to Boston schoolmaster of the
BrOckI ort shore. Our advice to Schoolmaster
Putnam is not to be content with getting glimpse
Of this highly interesting creature through a
SUI er0r glass at distance OF less than
fourth of mile from the object observed" Let
him organize an expedition composed Of his Boston
puTils and go boldly out and asso the monster. if
monster ii really he. 1t will be proud day for Put
naIn-and for Boston-when the schooImaster sails
up Boston Har1or with his prize IN tow.
If Putnam is really hungry for fare. now is his
opportunity of opportunities. And not only fame
awaits him, but money. p. T. Barnumis 800 900
offer is still But Putnam should not close too
hastily with it. He will be able to engineer a
corner" in sea-serpents easily if he plays his
cards well. TLis, Jumbo o. the deep should never
pe pHieu Win ioI u PaiiIJ F-o,OOO. Gutnam
must corner" Barnum and thsn squeeze him.
But first catch your sea serpent
And the latest dispatches Indicate that the task
of our friend the sshoolmaster may not he So hard
after all. What he calls the object observed
hove into sight both ON Sunday and on Monday,
and was seen by several apparently trustworthy
witnesses. Their accounts do not exactly agree
either with ScbooImaster Putnan's OF with each
other; but in momsntous matter like this details
Of little importance. Persons who see snakes
rarely agree to due point the characteristics of
the objects observed" The first party of observ-
Oh Gloucester declare that the serpent looked