THE MERMAID -- All the good people of Margate are in a state of consternation, with the well-attested account of a preternatural vision in the sea, which, it is said, took place on Wednesday morning, at day-break, nearly opposite to the Reculvers, and which promises to put the question to rest for ever, as to the doubts which have heretofore been entertained relative to the existence of that species of sea-monsters, called mermaids.
Peter Bourdonner, a farmer of French extraction, who resides in the parish of St. Nicholas in the island, hath made an oath, that as he was driving his cart, laden with potatoes, to the market, on the 3d ultimo, at four a.m. the donkey that drew it began to erect his ears, and bray most violently and tremble, just as he turned the corner of the eminence that forms the angle of Plum-pudding Island; and that on his looking towards the sea, he clearly observed a female form, disporting, as it were, upon the surface of the water, and who seemed to becken him onward with one hand, while she was combing her green locks with a large crab with the other.
She appeared as if coyly playful in her action, as if willing to be seen, and yet unwilling to show that will. --When the honest farmer had put on his spectacles to ascertain the vision more clearly, a puppy that he was bringing in the cart, as a present to Mr. Allum, the baker, began to bark, which frightened the marine gentlewoman so much, that she gave a shriek and disappeared!
Carlisle Journal, 27th August 1814.
The papers contain a humorous and rather curious account of one of those fabled "monsters of the vasty deep," yclept a Mermaid, which it is asserted was seen off Margate, early on the morning of the 3rd inst. A farmer going to market and the clerk and sexton of the Reculvers make oath as to their having seen it, and that it civilly beckoned them towards it; but disappeared on the barking of a dog and crowing of a cock. We presume that this miraculous appearance was neither more nor less than some buxom young damsel cooling her fervid limbs in the pure waters of the ocean, without the incumbrance of bathing chemise. -The farmer positively asserted that he saw her combing her green locks with a large crab! and the sexton, with equal veracity says, he distinctly heard her repeat, in an audible voice, the first stanza of Purcell's celebrated dirge of "Full fathom five my father lies."
Bristol Mirror, 20th August 1814
The wife of a respectable citizen has excited a good deal of curiosity at Margate. She bathes in a green dress, without a cap; and, attached to the shoulders of the dress is something resembling fins. She swims remarkably well, and the peculiarity of her paraphenalia, together with her long black har, have occasioned many to believe, who saw her bathe, that it was a mermaid, and they have actually written home to their friends, assuring them of the fact.
[F.F. - she bathes at four a.m? I think it's unlikely].
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| Murex pecten shell - Mermaid's comb. CC image Richard Parker |
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