The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-30
The Sea-Serpent.

1t is said that the sea-serpent has Lot
made his appearance this year upon the
coasts frequented by pleasure-seekers.
This in itself nigh; be considered mat
ter of moment. but coming as 1t does in
The time Of sun spots wars and rumors of
wars it has a right to challenge in.
creased attention. Surprising that the
hosry monster who has for years loomed
upon the vision OF thu inhabitant of the
summer hotel has really failed to show
himself the first question which presents
Itself to the scientific mind is, If not, why
rot,
1t is said that the doings on The beach
at Asbury Park have been peculiarly
scandaIous this year. and the sea-serpent
may possibly have been frightened away.
or induced to stay home for the sake OF
Eis reput4tion-if they have regulations in
the GSpths Of the sea where the great
ships lie and so many quaint secrets Of past
centuries are kept If this has really
happened. it is time that something should
be done about Asbury Park
The Chinese dragon may have eaten the
serpent. although Il would seem that such
a feat would be rather out of his way
The Philadelphia Mamie Taylor may be
less eifieaeious than the old-time Martini
cocktail upon the imagination OF the
dweller in the seaside hotel. The skep-
teal viii incline 10 this explanation. Il
viii be remembered that there are many
people who have steadfastIy declared that
no such thing as sea-serpent ever ex-
listed, just as there are parents who teach
their children that there is no such per-
son as Santa Claus and girls who 90 not
believe in platonic friendship But the
absolutely skeptical mind is rare in this
world. lAOst people wish to retain their
illusions. That Is why there are so many
ciairvoyants. anu mediums. and fortune
tellers. and palmisrs, Most Of Us would
rather part with money than an illusion.
But. seriously, il Is possible that the sea-
serpent may have appeared Just as usual.
and not been noticed at ALL More things
have happened during The past summer
than the average person can remember
without a little trouble When the civ
iiized world was not expecting one ca
tasirophe it was rsalizing the occurrence
OF another. In addition 10 this, The aver
age man has been working hard to keep
his own individual share of the worlds
hard .luck from overcoming him. 1t takes
a mini at leisure from itself 10 soo,he
and kympathize-or go snake hunting
That is not an occupation in which one
can engage with a troubled conscience or
an o,erworked brain. To do It success
fully me should be perfectly free to enjoy
the emotions Of the passing moment. The
imagination should have been cultivated
more or less. and the moral faculties not
50 overworked that the sight Of the SER
pent viii cause any conscientious tremors.
One should be serene in the conscious
ness OF rectitude and the recollection Of
not having had anything recently. That
is the way 10 have a really satisfactory
experience with the sea-serpent.
Given. then. favorable conditions. sail !
boat. with not too many people in il. and (.
a calm sea. the sea-serpent may be OK /
pected to appear in varying lengths. from /
yards TO furlongs. Sometimes he appears
in loops. rising above the waves in a series +
OF beautifully arched backs. Sometimes /
ne is more feInaikaDle Tor diameter thdn 4
for length or convointions. His head Is /
often like that of dragon, as a dragon 1
3 supposed to look. The only authentic I
accounts Of that beast are found in Chi /
nese legends. His skin is generally gray 1
and covered with barnaeles, and some
times bears strong resemblance to I
floating barrel mixed up with a long trail !
of sea weed. The fact that he is often |
seen OH coasts where keip and other ma
rine growths are plentiful suggests that 4
that is what he eats. Perhaps there would 4
be less PROLONGED proclivity for seeing
this reptile II it we're supposed that he
were man-eater; but there is no record
OF any human being having been deyoured
b. him.
The question why he has not been seen
this summer nust remain In ali probability
unsolyed Bur the chances a.e that he
has appeared just as usual. but that no.