THE BURLINGTON FREE PRESS — NOVEMBER 16, 1838
A prodigious excitement prevails in Ireland, especially in the North, in consequence of an actual living Mermaid, which was recently caught in a salmon net at Honneraw Point, in the county of Donegal. There can be no mistake in this fact, as five or six papers corroborate it, in the important points: but the “Derry Sentinel” and the “Fermanagh Journal,” are the most enthusiastic and particular in their descriptions. The first announcement appeared in the Sentinel, as follows:
A Mermaid and no Mistake.—A very general disbelief in the existence of the Mermaid is likely to receive a severe shock from the truth of following statement:— A creature in every respect answering the usual description of the “sea woman,” was caught lately in the salmon nets at Hunneraw Point, near Fahan, county Donegal. She is at present under the protection of a gentleman of that neighborhood, who has kindly permitted the country people, who are flocking in hundreds abort the place, to “see and believe.”
The members of the Londonderry Natural History society we understand are to investigate this extraordinary phenomenon for the purpose of sending an immediate report of their observations to 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 a present to the Queen; if not, the body will be preserved in spirits, and will grace the now forming museum of our local society. A minute description shall be given in our next.”
