Exhibition of mermaid and merman from Sanday, Orkney (1840)

The inhabitants of Reading, Newbury, Abingdon, and places adjacent, have been much astonished by the exhibition of "a real mermaid and merman," which are stated to have been caught alive by a Scotch fisherman on the Isle of Sandy, one of the Orkney islands. They are upwards of three feet in length, having very long arms, and are webbed between the fingers. The heads have very long thick curly hair, no ears, but gills like fish. The lower part from the breast is covered with scales, and the tail, finds, &c., are extremely large and strong. They are said to have been taken during a storm on the 2d of January. The Royal College of Surgeons has declared them to be well worthy of inspection.

Dublin Morning Register, 8th February 1840.

Exhibition of a Mermaid. Or Turnip. Durham (1849)

A strolling showman, who was exhibiting a "Mermaid" at Durham, was taken into custody the other day, a constable, an unbelieving dog, having conceived that the mermaid was not real, wanting all those charms which (as Tennyson makes his Mermaid sing) could so fire the inmates of the deep that
"The great sea-snake under the sea,
From his coiled sleeps in the central deeps,
Would slowly trail himself seven-fold
Round the hall where I sate, and look in at the gate,
With his large calm eyes, for the love of me."
When uncovered the Durham mermaid, shown for "the small charge of a penny," was found to consist of a skin stuffed with cotton rags, and a face fashioned out of a fresh turnip.

Inverness Courier, 29th November 1849.

A Supposed Mermaid off the Isle of Wight (1810)

Mermaid mural CC license

 Mr Editor -
I received a letter a few days ago from a friend in the country, mentioning his having seen (while taking the diversion of puffin shooting in the Isle of Wight) an animal, which, from its appearance, he conceives to have been a mermaid. He describes her as having a ruddy complexion, long hair, growing very thick, of a greenish cast, and flowing considerably below her shoulders. Immediately on perceiving her, he levelled his gun and fired, and he supposes he must have wounded her, as she immediately gave a piercing shriek and sunk under the water; every exertion was made to discover the body, but all proved fruitless.
G. R--ke.
*In The Morning Post, March 13th 1810.

At the Museum of Surgeons Hall (1821)

A dugong, probably the species mentioned. CC image Gejuni.

The Mermaid. -

It was mentioned in all the Journals some time ago, that a Mermaid caught in the Indian Seas, had been brought to this country. The creature so described, and no doubt, one of the species which has given rise to so many fabulous stories, is now in the Museum of Surgeon Hall, London. It is about eight feet in length, and bears a strong resemblance to the common seal. There is also a young female, of the same species, in the same place. They belong to the class of Mammalia; the fins terminate (internally) in structure like the human hand; the breasts of the female are not very prominent, and in suckling the young, not only this appearance, but their situation on the body, must cause the extraordinary phenomenon which has led to popular belief. In other respects, the face is far from looking like [print unreadable].

Dublin Weekly Register, 5th May 1821.

The Surgeons' Hall Museums have been refurbished and look like an excellent place to visit today.

Mermaids in Sutherland - Loch Sandwood (1900), Loch Inchard (1939) and Cape Wrath

From an article on 'Sutherland', by Joan M. Winter.

Sandwood Bay, Sutherland. CC image by Manico.

The Mermaids.

The burn running down to the sea from the loch [Loch Sandwood] is silted up with sand; beyond the sandbanks lies the bay, about two miles wide, with at one end a great stark rock pointing up like a poplar tree. On the other side Cape Wrath is visible beyond the cliffs. Not a soul is in sight. The waves break endlessly on the sand reef, over many an old wreck. On the cliffs to northward are the apparent remains of two old hut circles.

Numerous stories of mermaids appearing in these parts are inevitable. One such came from Sandy Gunn, a name with suitable "Treasure Island" overtones. On Old Christmas Night, January 5, 1900, Mr. Gunn, who lived at Kinlochbervie, was looking for sheep between Sheigra and Sandwood Loch, when he saw a mermaid at the bottom of a gully. She was clearly marooned by the high tide.

In 1939 a lady staying at the Garbet Hotel in Kinlochbervie, while out fishing on Loch Inchard, saw a mermaid; and on another occasion, when they were rowing just south of Cape Wrath, Mr. John Falconer and two fisherman friends saw a merman of horrible aspect rise straight up out of the sea. They were all terrified and rowed away fast; the two fishermen died soon afterwards.

In the Birmingham Daily Post, 17th March 1961.

Yes these are quite vague stories and evidently much retold. I'll have to try and find Mr Gunn's story (reputedly told to R MacDonald Robertson). I love the north west of Scotland. I wish I'd kept better tabs on where we'd stopped and stayed on our tour of it. Well, I guess we'll just have to go back. Sandwood Bay certainly looks almost as remote as it's possible to be in the UK.

It's quite interesting that in the last story the two fishermen die - it reminds me of stories about the (not as nice as you think they might be) fairies.

Pembrokeshire mermaid, 1791.

Pen-y-holt and Linney Head. Crown copyright (via Edina Digimap), 1860s map.

A Story of a Mermaid.

The following curious story is related in a lively and agreeable work, entitled "A Tour to Milford Haven in the year 1791," written in a series of letters by a lady of the name of Morgan, and published in London by John Stockdale in the year 1795. Mrs Morgan [seems] to have been a lady of an elegant and cultivated mind, and to have mingled with the best society of Pembrokeshire during her sojourn in what was then almost a terra incognita to an Englishwoman. In her forty third letter, addressed to a lady, and dated Haverfordwest, Sept. 22, Mrs. Morgan says --

"If you delight in the marvellous, I shall now present you with a tale that is truly so; and yet, from the simple and circumstantial manner in which it was told by the person who believed he saw what is here related, one would almost be tempted to think there was some thing more than imagination in it. However, I will make no comments upon the matter, but give it you exactly as I copied it from a paper lent me by a young lady who was educated under the celebrated Mrs. Moore*, and who has acquired a taste for productions of the pen, and likewise for whatever may be deemed curious. [*Hannah More, J.P.P.]

Mr. M-- inquired of the gentleman who took down the relation from the man's own mouth, a physician of the first respectability, what credit might be given to it. He said the man was that integrity of character, and of such simplicity also that it seemed difficult to believe he should be either able or willing to fabricate this wonderful tale. Farther the doctor was silent, and so am I.

"Henry Reynolds, of Pennyhold, in the parish of Castlemartin, in the county of Pembroke, a simple farmer, and esteemed by all who knew him to be a truth-telling man, declares the following most extraordinary story to be an absolute fact, and is willing, in order to satisfy such as will not take his bare word for it, to swear to the truth of the same. He says he went one morning to the cliffs that bound his own lands, and form a bay near Linny Stack.

From the eastern end of the same he saw, as he thought, a person bathing very near the western end, but appearing, from almost the middle up, above water. He, knowing the water to be deep in that place, was much surprised at it, and went along the cliffs, quite to the western end, to see what it was. As he got towards it, it appeared to him like a person sitting in a tub. At last he got within ten or twelve yards of it, and found it then to be a creature much resembling a youth of sixteen or eighteen years of age, with a very white skin, sitting in an erect posture, having from somewhat about the middle of its body quite above the water; and directly under the water there was a large brown substance, on which it seemed to float. The wind being perfectly calm and the water quite clear he could see distinctly when the creature moved, that this substance was part of it.

-- From the bottom there went down a tail much resembling that of a large Conger Eel. Its tail in deep water was straight downwards, but in shallow water it would turn on one side. The tail was continually moving in a circular manner. The form of its body and arms was entirely human, but its arms and hands seemed rather thick and short in proportion to its body. The form of the head and all the features of the face were human also, but the nose rose high between its eyes, was pretty long, and seemed to terminate very sharp. Its head was white like its body, without hair; but from its forehead there arose a brownish substance, of three or four fingers' breadth, which turned up over its head, and went down over its back, and reached quite into the water. This substance did not at all resemble hair, but was thin, compact and flat, not much unlike a ribbon. It did not adhere to the back part of its head, or neck, or back; for the creature lifted it up from its neck, and washed under it.

-- It washed frequently under its arms and about its body; it swam about the bay, and particularly round a little rock which Reynolds was within ten or twelve yards of. He staid about an hour looking at it. It was so near him, that he could perceive its motion through the water was very rapid; and that, when it moved it turned, it put one hand into the water , and moved itself round very quickly. It never dipped under the water all the time he was looking at it. It looked attentively at him and the cliffs, and seemed to take great notice of the birds flying over its head. Its looks were wild and fierce; but it made no noise, nor did it grin, or in any way distort its face. When he left it, it was about a hundred yards from him; and when he returned with some others to look at it, it was gone.

This account was taken down by Doctor George P---, of Prickerston, from the man's own mouth in presence of many people, about the latter end of December, 1782."

The physician who took down the foregoing statement from the mouth of the eyewitness was George Phillips, M.D., of Haverfordwest, a gentleman of high social position. -- Notes and Queries.


Reprinted in the Armagh Guardian, 18th May 1860.

Pen-y-Holt Stack. Image CC David Lewis

I have to say, I do like this a lot. It smacks a lot of a genuine experience because of the nature of some of the things reported ('it seemed to take great notice of the birds flying over its head..'). Also why would you want to make yourself look like a gullible idiot in front of the local Gentlemen of High Social Position? He saw something - you might or might not think it was a bona fide mermaid - but for me this is the best kind of mermaid story. Or should we say merman story.

The Book of the Dun Cow (12th century)

Mermaid in a C14th Welsh manuscript (not the BotDC I'm afraid). CC image NLW.

A monster of the deep was once caught in the nets of the fishermen of Bangor, if we but credit the Leabhar-na-h-Uidhre [the12th century Book of the Dun Cow], which tells the following wild legend:-

"Eochaidh, from whom Lough Neagh derives its name, was drowned in its eruption, together with all his children except Liban, Conaing, and Curnan. Liban was preserved from the waters of Lough Neagh for a full year in her grinan (palace) under the lake. After this, at her own desire, she was changed into a salmon, and continued to traverse the sea till the time of St. Comgall, of Bangor.

It happened that Comgall despatched Beoan, son of Innli, of Teach-Dabeog, to Rome, on a message to Gregory, to receive orders and rule. When the crew of Beoan's curach were at sea they heard the celebration of angels beneath the boat. Liban (mermaid) thereupon addressed them, and stated that she had been three hundred years under the sea, adding that she would proceed westward and meet Beoan that day twelve-months, at Inbher Ollarba (Larne, but perhaps it should have been Inver Ollair, the mouth of the Six-Mile Water at Lough Neagh), whither the saints of Dalaraidhe, with Comgall, were to resort.

Beoan, on his return, related what had occurred, and at the stated time the nets were set, and she was caught in the nets of Fergus, of Milliuc (Meleeg, in the civil parish of Camlin, Co. Antrim), upon which she was brought to land, and crowds came to witness the sight, amongst whom was the chief of Ui Conaing. The right to her being disputed by Comgall, in whose territory - and Fergus, in whose net - and Beoan, in promise to whom she was taken, they prayed for heavenly decision; and next day two wild oxen came down from Carn-Airend (Carnearny); and on their being yoked to the chariot on which she was placed, they bore her to Teach-Dabeoc, where she was baptised by Comgall, with the name Muirgen - i.e. 'born of the sea' - or Muirgelt - i.e. 'traverser of the sea'."

This (from the Dun Cow, but with added suggestions of placenames) is in 'An Historical Account of the Diocese of Down and Connor' by the Rev. James O'Laverty, v2, 1880.

Herefordshire gets on the mermaid exhibition bandwagon (1837)

A mermaid admiring Svalbard at sunrise, by Fridtjof Nansen.

A Mermaid!

At our Guildhall on Monday, a person made his appearance to prefer some complaint against the police, by whom a relative of his, the exhibitor of a mermaid  and a merman in this city during the week, had been taken into custody and detained until he consented to repay half-a-crown to a person who swore that such a piece was given in mistake for a penny for witnessing the interesting exhibition.

The magistrates expressed their willingness to hear any complaint, but observed that the man was guilty of an act of vagrancy and swindling in exhibiting something for a creature which he knew had no real existence.

The complainant, who seemed to believe in the reality of the fabled syren, then left the hall very dissatisfied with the police.

A gentleman present observed that the article, which appeared to be partly formed of wax, was a very clumsy deception.

Hereford Journal, Wednesday 17th May 1837.

It seems that enterprising people were quite happy to make some money out of the mermaid craze, even if their creative efforts weren't very good. Perhaps they hoped mermaid-hunters in the provinces wouldn't be as fussy as those in London.

A half crown and a penny were similar size I think, but surely different colours. Besides, surely you have to be careful what you're handing out (the half crown being worth 30x the penny).

Other exhibited (and lucrative) chimaeras

An Etruscan sculpture of the original Chimera. CC image by Sailko.

The Mermaid.

I need scarcely remind the reader that the preparation lately exhibited under the name of a mermaid is quite fictitious, or rather factitious - a species of fraud which is often practised by knaves upon collectors of curiosities. When I was visiting, some years ago, the fine botanic garden of Mr. Templeton, near Belfast, a boy brought him a very singular looking production, a very pretty daisy and a shamrock growing from the same stem. It was a fraud: but so neatly executed that it was only after several hours' minute examination that we detected the artificial joining of the two plants.

In the Hunterian Museum at Glasgow is a specimen of a beetle got up in this way, for which Dr. Hunter gave no less, if I recollect right, than fifty guineas. It was the body of one species of beetle united to the head of another species, and, as the specimen appeared to be of uncommon beauty and rarity, it was considered of great value. To add to the interests, it was said to have been found floating in the Ganges.

Such seems to be the exhibited preparation called the mermaid, an ingenious union of the head of some monkey to the body of a fish. -- Professor Rennie.

Trinity House in Newcastle. CC image by Andrew Curtis

Newcastle Journal - 23rd June 1832.

I.W.M. informs me that some time ago a relation of his visited the Newcastle Trinity House, and was shown, among other things, a mermaid. The head was human, the expression of the face intelligent, but below the waist the body was fashioned like a fish, with scales and fins. At least, this was the account which was given to I.W.M., who now asks me to say whether it is true or not. As I have never been into this particular Trinity House, I am not in a position to express an opinion on the subject. I confess I did not know that this peculiar class of being had any existence except in popular mythology, although stuffed mermaids have been exhibited since the days of Bartholomew Fair downwards.

 All the world over, however, there are legends about these mysterious creatures. The Ottawas and other American Indians have their man-fish and woman-fish, and the Chinese tell stories not unlike our own about the sea-woman of their Southern seas. We are taught on the most excellent evidence that a mermaid was captured at Bangor, on the shores of the Belfast Lough, in the sixth century, while another caught at Edam in 1403 was carried to Haarlem and kept there for many years.

Perhaps the authorities at the Newcastle Trinity House will unburden themselves of their secret. If they have a mermaid in their possession it is hardly fair to keep the bewitching maiden all to themselves.

Pearson's Weekly, 25th May 1895.

I don't know if Professor Rennie was talking about the mermaid exhibited in London, or a Newcastle mermaid. Anyway it seems appropriate that 60 years later there was a mermaid at Trinity House, as that was / is on the quayside and still provides services for seafarers.

Next to track down Liban, the mermaid from the lough at Belfast.

Sailing advice from a mermaid

The Great Storm of 1703. No artist mentioned for this super engraving.

Superstition of the Sailor.

Sailors have in general a very proper sense of religion, though often strongly tinctured with superstition. They believe in mermaids, ghosts, and goblins; and the story of the devil taking the ship's broker into Mount Stromboli is received by them as a fact. They have a great idea of the transmigration of souls, as far as relates to the Simia tribe, many of whom they believe to be captains of Guineamen in a state of punishment.

I was assured by a north-sea pilot, in conformation of his belief in mermaids, that in the great gale of 1702, when so many colliers were lost on the east coast of England, one of the fleet was saved by the kind interference of a mermaid, who hailed her by name in the following prophetic words: -

"Sea Adventure! Sea Adventure! Clew up all your sails and let go your sheet anchor:" the prudent master took the warning, and saved the ship.

Seamen will never throw a cat overboard; nor whistle, for fear of bringing on a gale - either of these causes having been known to produce the most serious effects. A horse-shoe is almost invariably nailed to the foremast, both in the King's and merchant service, to keep away the witches, of whom the Norway breed are supposed to be by far the most mischievous. -- United Service Gazette.

 In the Worcester Herald, Saturday 4th May 1833.

How do mermaids know about sailing a ship, I wonder? Also this one knew how to read the name of the ship, which was handy.  

If I were to take this allegedly 130 year old tale (at the time) unnecessarily literally, and believe the captain really did hear a voice - perhaps he did hear a voice from inside his head telling him what to do in his state of extreme stress. (Is that replacing one fortean thing with another controversial idea?)

Also I am glad seamen don't throw cats overboard, it seems a mean thing to do. 

Morecambe Mermaid

Morecambe Bay at low tide. Photo by Eiffel.

Are there really mermaids? Shakespeare has said that there are more things in earth and heaven than our philosophy has dreamed of. Rumours have reached us that a mermaid has actually been seen at a certain spot lower down the coast. If a mermaid has really been seen, then Shakespeare was right.

Now, if a mermaid were to come swimming into Morecambe Bay and start combing her tresses within sight of the promenade, there would be some possibility of finding out whether it was really a mermaid. This mermaid, who is said to have been seen, is apparently a coy wench, and she shirks the popular places on the coast, seeming to prefer to choose a spot on the long lonely stretches of sand, where she can bask in the sunshine, uninterrupted by curious holiday makers.

Still, despite her desire for seclusion, the story is told of how a young man and a young woman walking along the sands one morning saw a mermaid sitting on a boulder near the edge of the tide. The shimmering sheen of her tail and her long flowing hair attracted attention, and they eagerly went closer. The mermaid, however, saw them approaching and, so it is said, darted into the water and made off. A polite young mermaid she is, however, supposed to be, because when she got some way out, she waved her tail as a good-bye signal.

The young man and woman went back to the village where they were staying and started talking about what they had seen. Everbody, of course, thought they were "pitching a yarn," but a few days later a young fisherman came in with a story that he had seen the mermaid, but when he gave chase she swam so fast that he could not catch up with her. A local journalist heard about these stories and interviewed the young couple and the fisherman. As he was making his way to the telegraph office to send off the story of the discovery to his newspaper, the Chairman of the Parish Council met him and said, "I say, are you going to send that story of the mermaid away?"
"I was," said the reported.
"Look her, young man," said the chairman, "don't you do it. It's probably all bosh, but just imagine what will happen if you send away the news that a mermaid has been found here. The place will be absoluted raided by sightseers and you know quite well that there are not enough hotels or houses in the village to put the people up if they come. It will simply mean chaos, and if the mermaid is really about, the confusion will frighten her away."
"There is a lot in what you say," agreed the reporter.

"Look here, then; I've often done you a good turn in the past, do me one now. Send your story about the mermaid being seen but don't say where it is. Explain to your Editors that the Parish Council ask for the name of the place to be suppressed so as to avoid the place being overwhelmed with curious sight-seers. For our part, the Parish Council will do all that is possible to catch the mermaid, if there is one, and you shall be the first to interview her."

Realising that the chairman was quite correct that the village would be worst than Morecambe on a Bank Holiday if the name of the place got out, the reporter agreed. Probably the bait of the first interview with the mermaid if she was caught decided him. Knowing this correspondent, we are inclined to think there may be something in the story, and we hope that the Parish Council, or soemone else, will catch her. Oh, if only she had come, or would come to Morecambe. We should not worry about the crowds.

Morecambe Guardian, 18th July 1930.

Standing up for reason

An illustration from 1817, held by the Wellcome Trust.

To the Editor of the Morning Chronicle.

Sir. -- The credulity of the good people of England has often been noticed and commented on, and many a fine fortune has been realized thereby in the hands of the acute natives of France and Italy, &c. yea, the heavy tobacco-headed German, has not failed in the business. While the facility with which the native rogues have managed to impose on their unsuspecting countrymen has been proved in but too many instances. All of these considerations seem to have incited brother Jonathan to try his hand at imposing on brother John, by getting up a monstrous composition under the name and form of a Mermaid forsooth, and impiously and impudently to attribute the abominable forgery to the Divine Being, as his handy work.

In order that you may be aware of the grounds on which I make the foregoing assertions, I have to inform you that the composition was brought from Japan (where I believe it to have been manufactured for the purpose of levying contributions from off the ignorant and unsuspecting). The lower part is a real fish (of a species found in the rivers of China and Japan) the head and shoulders being cut off and replaced by a skeleton, artificially composed, and covered with the muscles, arms, and skin, stripped from off the bust of an old Japanese woman, all which being tolerably well put together, and afterwards smoke-dried, became the "Wonderful Mermaid" now exhibiting in London.

I handled, and minutely inspected the creature, on its arrival at Batavia from Japan, and on that inspection formed my opinion as expressed above. Many blunders have been committed in the  making up of the fabric, too numerous to be here distinctly detailed, nor is it necessary, as it will be readily perceived by any anatomist if opportunity be afforted for the purpose.

I therefore assert that the thing is a composition, and if that be denied, do challenge the proprietor to submit it to be dissected  by a person or persons appointed by the Royal College of Surgeons; and if it he then found to be a real production of natuer, I will then come forward and reimburse the loss, if any, which a Jury may pronounce him to have incurred thereby..
I am, yours obediently,
"SAWNEY."

 Liverpool Mercury, 8th November 1822.

The muscles etc. of an old Japanese woman - that's a bit grim. I'd like to think not though.

Exhibition in Cape Town

The Feejee Mermaid in Boston Museum (1857) - the same creature?

The numerous relations of mariners with respect to the existence of the Mermaid have generally been deemed fabulous, but the following description of an animal of this species, comes in a shape so plausible, that there appears every probability that the narratives of sailors ont he subject of this striking resemblance of the human species, have been founded on fact:-

Extract of a letter from the Rev. Dr. Philip, representative of the London Missionary Society, at Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, dated April 28, 1822:--
"I have today seen a mermaid, now exhibiting in this town. I have always treated the existence of this creature as fabulous; but my scepticism is now removed. As it is probable no description of this extraordinary creature has yet reached England, the following particulars respecting it may gratify your curiosity and amuse you: - The head is almost the size of that of a baboon. It is thinly covered with black hair, hanging down, and not inclined to frizzle. On the upper lip and on the chin there are a few hairs, resembling those upon the head. The ossa mallarum, or cheek bones, are prominent. The forehead is low, but, except in this particular, the features are much better proportioned, and bear a more decided resemblance to the human countenance than those of any of the baboon tribes. The head is turned back and the countenance has an expression of terror, which gives it an appearance of a caricature of the human face; but I am disposed to think that both these circumstances are accidental, and have arisen from the manner in which the creature met its death. It bears the appearance of having died in great agony. The ears, nose, lips, chin, breasts, nipples, fingers, and nails, resemble those of a human figure. The spinous processes of the vertebrae are very prominent, and apparently arranged as in the human body. From the position of the arms, and the manner in which theya re placed, and from such an examination as could be made in the circumstances in which I was placed at the time I saw it, I can have no doubt that it has clavicles; an appendage belonging to the human subject, which baboons are without.

The appearance of the teeth afford sufficient evidence that it is full grown: the incisores, being worn on the upper surface. There are eight incisores, four canine, and eight molares. The canine teeth resemble those of a full-grown dog; all the others resemble those of a human subject. The length of the animal is three feet; but not having been well preserved it has shrunk considerably, and must have been both longer and thicker when alive than it is now. Its resemblance to the human species ceases immediately under the mammae.

On the line of separation, and directly under the breast, are two fins. From the point where the human figure ceases, which is about twelve inches below the vertex of the head it resembles a large fish of the salmon species. It is covered with scales all over; on the lower parts of the animal, the scales resemble those of a fish; but on that part of the animal that resembles the human form, they are much less, and scarcely perceptible, except on a near inspection.

On the lower part of the body it has six fins, one dorsal, two ventrical, two pectoral, and the tail. The pectoral fins are very remarkable; they are horizontal, and evidently formed as an apparatus to support the creature when in an erect posture, like that in which it has sometimes represented combing its hair. --The figure of the tail is exactly that which is given in the usual representation of the Mermaid.

The proprietor of this extraordinary animal is Captain Eades, of Boston, in the United States of America. Since writing the above description he has called upon me, and I have learned from him the following particulars: - It was caught some where on the North of China, by a fisherman, who sold it for a trife; after which it was brought to Batavia. Here it was purchased by Captain Eades for 5,000 Spanish dollars, and he has since been offered 10,000 Spanish dollars for it, but refuses to part with it for that sum. Captain Eades is a passenger on board the American ship Lion, now in Table Bay; he leaves this port in about a fortnight, and the Lion visits the Thames on her passage to America, so that it will, probably, be soon exhibited in London."

In the Kentish Weekly Post, 23rd July 1822.
Is this just a long advert? It'd certainly have piqued my interest. I'd be hoping to go and see it when it arrived.

Mermaid abduction

The cover of Yevgeny Zamyatin's A Provincial Tale

A Novel Case of Abduction.

A thief, by some means, got access to the Mermaid, at Mr. Lefevre's exhibition, on the Parade, and whilst Mr. L. was delivering a Lecture on the properties of glass, succeeded in carrying her off; but was detected in passing down stairs, and the fair prize was restored to her home. It is doubted whether the delinquent may not be brought before a very high Tribunal for this offence, as the Maid is stated to be a Ward of Chancery. -- Cork Paper.

Morning Advertiser, 17th January 1824.

I'm not entirely clear about the whole 'ward of chancery' thing, but you can read about it here in Jan Bondeson's book. 
In the same paper on 27th December 1822, they report the entertainments at the Olympic Theatre. "The humourous transformation of a baloon and a salmon into a mermaid, and making it a Ward of Chancery, created the highest mirth."

Mermaid on St Kilda

Cliffs off St Kilda. CC image by Mike Pennington.

 A poor Welch seaman, who was last summer cast away in a squall on the island of St Kilda, applied to a gentleman in Ayr last week for pecuniary aid to help him on to Carnarvon. He stated in consequence of the little intercourse which exists between the island and the mainland, he had been detained there till lately, and related a variety of circumstances as to the habits and opinions of the St Kildians, which removed all doubt as to the authenticity of his story.

A belief in the existence of mermaids, it seems, is universal among this little known people, and although the Welchman at first was extremely sceptical on the subject, he was finally converted by the convincing evidence of ocular demonstration.

To secure to himself the means of a precarious subsistence he was obliged to participate in the dangerous labours of the islanders, and one day while he hung suspended over one of those dreadful precipices, from which "The crows and choughs that wing the midway air Show scarce so large as beetles" in search of feathers and birds' eggs, the staple produce of the island, his attention was drawn to the unruffled sea beneath by a strange unearthly sound, as if some monster of the deep were raising its voice in song, in mockery to the human race. At the same moment a native similarly engaged on the rocks near him, exclaimed, "The mermaid, the mermaid!" and the astonished Welchman descried on the surface of the magnificent waters a being resembling humanity; but yet so curious withal, as to start a doubt in his mind as to the reality of the vision.

The description which he gave our informant of its form and features, varied little from the accounts of other historians of veracity, who have had the luck to behold these ominous creatures. Under a very short forehead were two small round eyes, separated by a flat nose, and the cheeks, which were exceedingly broad, were split across by a mouth which nearly reached from ear to ear. The chin and neck were short, and altogether it presented that dumpy appearance which has been often assigned to the rustic maidens of the Welch mountains -- Ayr paper.

Caledonian Mercury, 19th December, 1825.

Falklands mermaid

Seal skeleton by H Zel (CC)

A South Sea Mermaid. - The following strange circumstance is mentioned in Weddell's interesting voyage towards the South Pole. If true, it supports the popular belief of the existence of mermaids:-

A sailor had been left on one side of Hall Island, one of the Falklands, to take care of some produce, while the rest of the crew were engaged on the other side. "The sailor," says Mr Weddell, "had gone to bed, and about 10 o'clock he heard a noise resembling human cries, and as daylight in these latitudes never disappears at this season, he rose and looked around, but on seeing no person he returned to bed; presently he heard the noise again, and rose a second time, but still saw nothing. Conceiving, however, the possibility of a boat being upset, and that some of the crew might be clinging to some detached rocks, he walked along the beach a few steps, and heard the voice more distinctly, but in a musical strain. On searching around, he saw an object lying on a rock, a dozen yards from the shore, at which he was somewhat frightened. The face and shoulders appeared of human form, and of a reddish colour; over the shoulders hung long green hair; the tail resembled that of a seal, but the extremities of the arms he could not see distinctly.

The creature continued to make a musical noise, while he gazed about two minutes, and on perceiving him, it disappeared in an instant. Immediately when the man saw his officer, he told this wild tale, the truth of which was, of course, doubted; but to add weight to his testimony, (being a Catholic), he made a cross on the sand, which he kissed in form of making oath to his statement. When the story was told me, I ridiculed it; but, by way of diversion, I sent for the sailor who saw this non-descript into the cabin, and questioned him respecting it. He told me the story as I have related it, and in so clear and positive a manner, making oath as to the truth, that I concluded he must have seen the animal he described, or that it must have been the effect of a disturbed imagination."

Caledonian Mercury, 24th October 1825.

.....

One day we were camping near the edge of the water separating Lindisfarne island from the mainland. It was getting dark and this eerie (ever so eerie) soft wailing, of many voices, sprang up across the water. To begin with we thought it must be a natural noise of the wind or sea. But eventually we twigged it was a colony of seals out on a sand bank somewhere. 

I'm not dismissing the tale. I mean our seals did not have long green hair. But it is true that seals can make a strange noise, at least in Northumbria. Perhaps seals make strange noises down on the Falklands. 

It's notable that James Weddell has a seal named after him, one which he saw in the Antarctic. So he did have an interest in seals. But here he doesn't seem to suggest it Definitely was one? Perhaps I should find the work from which this is extracted.

R

Even accusations of fraud can be turned to business advantage.

Advertisement - The Mermaid in the Sporting World.

So much has been said for and against this wonderful ainimal, and perhaps with a view to bring the period of dissection earlier than is intended by the proprietor, and we understand it is his determination to satisfy the public opinion on this important question, by some of our first medical men and naturalists, as soon as the bare expenses that he has incurred by bringing it to this country are liquidated, which cannot be long now, from the many hundreds of spectators that daily call to view it, among the number many of our Noble Families, it has also been honoured by visits of Royalty.

The difference of opinion is now so great, whether it will turn out a natural production or a made-up deception, that a great deal of betting has taken place on the event; and as many persons back the strength of their opinion for and against the Mermaid, the sporting men will have a fine opportunity of making a good book, as some are laying 5 and 6 to 4 on the Mermaid being a natural production, while others are laying the same odds and even 2 to 1 against it. A sporting Gentleman, who is supposed to have some concern in this Mermaid, has taken many bets and some long odds to a large amount, that it really is what is represented - a Mermaid.

It is now exhibiting at Watson's, Turf Coffee-house, St. James's-street.

Morning Chronicle, 20th November 1822.

In common with everybody else who could raise a shilling, we yesterday went to see this interesting specimen at the Turf Coffee-house, St James's-street. The visitors were too numerous to permit us to make so close an examination of it as we yet hope to do. Its head has some resemblance to that of a baboon, and there is still a remnanat of pendant hair upon it. The hands, and fingers with nails, seem perfectly human. Its mammae are small but perfect, and its lower part bears considerable resemblance to that of a salmon.

It was obtained by a Dutchman from the natives of the Molaccas, in whose possession it had been some time. It proves that they know how to preserve animals. The skin is much shrivelled, and we should say that the animal was aged, though it is not large; being with the tail straitened, not more than a yard in length.

We are told that Sir Everard home had it for some hours to inspect, and could discover nothing like deception in it. It has also been examined Mr. Brooks and other celebrated anatomists. We shall give more particulars of it hereafter. A vast number of females go to see it; but we think it right for their information, to caution them that it is, however curious, a most hideous looking animal, and its beauty has acquired no addition by the means used to preserve it in a dried state.

(True Briton).

In the Manchester Mercury, 12th November 1822.

Westmorland Gazette on a London mermaid

Another Mermaid of better manufacture than the former has just been brought to London, for exhibition. The cockneys swallowed the last tolerably for a while, we wonder how this will go down.  -- The Duke of Gloucester has been to see it!
A Swiss Giantess, is now exhibiting in London, measuring six feet five inches high, and being proportionally stout.
The cockneys we understand are flocking in crowds to see  the invisible girl at the Lower Room, Spring Gardens.

Westmorland Gazette,  26th June, 1824.

 

 

 Here's the Duke referred to.  He looks pretty wide eyed. Perhaps he was quite decent: he was all for the abolition of slavery. But he did have a nickname: Silly Billy. Perhaps that was all part of why the Westmorland Gazette thought they'd take the piss.

Horniman museum has a mermaid

If you want to visit a Feejee mermaid, they have one at the Horniman Museum in London. It's been CAT-scanned and otherwise investigated. You can read about it

at the Guardian,

and also on the Horniman Museum's website itself.

A longer article from the Journal of Museum Ethnography can be downloaded from here.

A rather similar creature, CC image from the Wellcome Trust

French Mermaid

A fisherman at St. Valery sur Somme, (France,) a few days since, caught in his net, a fish exactly resembling the description given of Mermaid [sic]. The head and breast are of the human form, and when half the body is out of water, it has the appearance of a woman. It was sent by the Perfect of the Department to Paris, where it was hoped it would arive alive -- French Paper.

 Wexford Conservative, 2nd August 1834.

painting by Charles Landelle