considerable alarm at the sight of it; as face, having all the appearance of a hus a general opinion or prejudice exists man being, with very hollow eyes. The amongst the inhabitants of the western cheeks were of the same colour with the isles, that it is extremely unlucky to rest of the face; the neck seemed short; meet with or look upon such animals at and it was constantly with both hands sea, or to point them out to the rest of the stroking and washing its breast, which crew, unless they observe it themselves. was half immersed in the water. He

Signed, Neil M'Intosh; Robert Brown, therefore cannot say whether its boFactor for Clanrannald, Witness; Do- som was formed like a woman's or nald M'Neil of Canna, Witness; Wil- not. He saw no other fins or feet upon Jiam Campbell, W. S. Edinburgh, Wit- it but as described. It continued above ness ; James Gillespie, Architect, Edin- water for a few minutes, and then disapburgh, Witness.

peared. He was informed that some Portree, 2d Od. 1809.—That what boys in a neighbouring farm saw a simiis above written is a true copy of the lar creature in the sea, close to the shore, original.

on the same day. The minister of CampAttested, MALCOLM WRIGHT, M. P. beltown, and the chamberlain of Mull, A young man, named John M'Isaac, attest his examination, and declare they of Corphine, in Kintyre, in Scotland, made know no reason why his veracity should oath on examination, at Campbeltown, be questioned. before the sheriff-substitute of Kintyre, Extraordinary Phenomenon. At Sandthat he saw on the afternoon of the 19th side, in the parish of Reay, in the county of October, 1813, on a black rock on the of Caithness, there was seen in October, sea-coast, an animal, of the particulars of 1813, an animal supposed to be the Merwhich he gives a long and curious detail, maid. The head and the chest, being answering in general to the description all that was visible, exactly resembled commonly given of the supposed am- those of a full-grown young woman. phibious animal called a Mermaid. He The mamme were perfectly formed; states that the upper half of it was the arms longer than in the human body, white, and of the shape of a hunan body; and the eyes somewhat smaller. When the other half, towards the tail, of a the waves dashed the hair, which was of a brindled or redish gray colour, appa- sea-green shade, over the face, the hands rently covered with scales; but the ex- were immediately employed to replace tremity of the tail itself was of a greenish it. The skin was of a pink colour. Though red shining colour; that the head was observed by several persons within the covered with long hair; sometimes it distance of twenty yards, for about an would put back the hair on both sides hour and half, it discovered no symptoms of its head, it would also spread iis of alarm. It was seen by four or five tail like a fan; and while so extended, individuals of unquestionable veracity at the tail continued in tremulous mo- the same time. Something of the same tion, and when drawn together again, kind was observed in the same neighit remained motionless; and appeared to bourhood, about seven years ago, by a the deponent to be about twelve or four- gentleman then residing near the spot. teen inches broad; that the hair was long The design of inserting this notice is and light brown; that the animal was to excite the attention of inquiring natubetween four and five feet long; that it ralists, and is possible, through this, or had a head, hair, arms, and body, down some other medium, to obtain a more to the middle, like a human being; that satisfactory account of an animal, the the arms were short in proportion to the existence of which has been long reckonbody, which appeared to be about the ed a mere matter of fabulous representhickness of that of a young lad, and ta- tation. pering gradually to the point of the tail; A Merman. A letter from Monmouth, that when strühing its head, as above dated the 13th November, 1810, says, mentioned, the fingers were kept close “ About eight o'clock yesterday morntogether, so that he cannot say whether ing, two fishermen, in their truckies, fishthey were webbed or not; that he saw it ing for salmon, found their net much for near two hours, the rock on which heavier than usual ; and which, on comit lay being dry; that after the sea had ing to shore, contained a huge monster, so far retired, as to leave the rock dry to the upper part bearing exact resemblance the height of five feet above the water, to a inan, the middle to a beast, spotted it tumbled clumsily into the sea; a minute like the léopard, and a tail like a fish; the after he observed the animal above wa- hair on his head green--he had red eyes, ter, and then he saw every feature of its and tusks five inches and a hall in length,

and he measured, from head to tail, thir- land, and various statements have been teen feet and three quarters. He is now published by people who averred having deposited in the Town-hall for the in- seen similar appearances on the coasts of spection of the curious.”

Norway, but we never, before the present Merman. A letter from Douglas, dated instance, heard of them being seen on December, 1810, contains a curious ac- our coasts. Last week, however, whilst count of two Merchildren lately disco- a sloop belonging to Beverley was at anvered by three respectable tradesmen du- chor in Hawk roads, near Grimsby, a ring an excursion on the Calf of Man. boy on board saw the appearance of a Attracted by a sound resembling the cries woman at some distance, whom he supof a kitten, they found amongst the rocks posed by some accident had unfortunatetwo small marine animals, exactly resem- ly fallen overboard a vesse). Anxious to bling that species of creature, known by save her, he hauled the sloop's boat to the name of Merman. One of them was him, and called to the master and another dead, and much lacerated by the violence person on board to assist; but the lady, with which it had been driven on shore as he called her, having disappeared, they during a violent gale on the preceding looked anxiously towards the spot, exnight; the other was conveyed to Dous pecting she might again be buoyed up las, where it seems likely to do well. It by the water, and thus enable them to is one foot eleven and three quarter inch- render her the assistance she might want. es in length, from the crown of its head In a short time she appeared again, when to the extremity of its tail ; five inches they were immediately sensible, from across the shoulders; its skin is pale her appearance, that it was a creature of brown, and the scales on its tail are ting- the Mermaid species. She came so near ed with violet; the hair on its head is the vessel that they could not be deceiv. light green; it is attached to the crown ed, for they perceived her shake herself, of the head only, hanging loose about and put up her hands to shade back her the face, about four inches in length, hair, which was very long, and quite very gelatinous to the touch, and resem- black. Her appearance they describe as bling the green sea-weed, growing on that of a blooming country girl. The rocks; its mouth is small, and has no ap- above is, as nearly as we have been able pearance of teeth. It delights much in to learn, an accurate account of the apswimming in a tub of sea-water, and seeds pearance of this singular phenomenon, a chiefly on muscles and other shell-fish, phenomenon which has aítorded a subwhich it devours with great avidity; it ject of much disputation, but has never also now and then swallows small por- yet, as far as we learn, been positively tions of milk and water, when given to it decided as existing. Hull Chronicle. in a quill.

-doMermaid. The many extraordinary The altitude of Ascutney Mountain in tales that have been mentioned respect- Vermont, and Moose-Hillock in Newing the existence of the mermaid, have Hampshire, ascertained barometricalgiven such an air of absurdity to the fact, ly, by Alden Partridge, Esq. Capt. of that there is little wonder at the incredu- Engineers stationed at Governorslity of the generality of people in doubt- and. Sept. 24th, 1817, and addressed ing the existence of such a creature in to the hon. Sam. L. Mitchill. toto. The several instances lately occur- Dear Sir, ring of such an object as that which ge- I take the liberty to transmit on the nerally passes under the name of the opposite page, several altitudes which I mermaid, having been seen by persons calculated when absent during vacation who may be supposed little likely to be in the month of August last. Ascutney imposed upon by an imaginary appear- is a beautiful insulated, conical mountain, ance, has shaken the opinion of many, situated in the State of Vermont, in the and led them at least to hesitate before towns of Windsor and Weathersfieldthey condemned the opinion as mon- the summit about five miles southwest strous and improbable. The appcar- from the viilage of Windsor, and about ances of these creatures have generally the same distance west from Connectibeen confined within those places where cut river. Moose-Hillock is the most positive proof was somewhat hard to be elevated peak of a long range of moun. obtained, or at least where the fact had tains, which commences about three Jain so long in obscurity, as to prevent an miles from New• Javen, in the State of immediate inquiry into the truth of the Connecticut, at a rocky precipice called circumstances. A short time since a East-rock. From this place the range Mermaid was seen in the north of Scot- takes a northeasterly direction, crossing

a

Connecticutriver, below North-Hampton house of Mr. Eastňans, in the Festa in the State of Massachusetts, thenee tak- town of Coventry near the foot ing a more northerly direction, it passes of the mountain,

9246 into the State of New Hampshire, form- Altitude of the same, above Coning for a considerable distance the height necticut river at Orford Bridge, 4032 of land, between Connecticut riveron the Altitude of the same, above Merwest, and Merrimack river on the east. rill's tavem, in the town of War. This range, I believe, is joined, previous ren, near Bakers river,

9818 to crossing the New-Hampshire boun- Altitude of Connecticut river at dary, by another range commencing near Orford Bridge, above tide waLyme in the State of Connecticut, and ter,

504 called the Lyme range of mountains, Altitude of Fairlee Mountain, near but which does not attain any considera- the Meeting-House in Fairlee, ble elevation. The celebrated White above Connecticut river, at OrMountains are a spur from this range, ford Bridge,

547 branching off to the north-east. Moose- Altitude of the same above the Hillock is situated about forty-five miles, Sea,

1051 a little to east of north, from Dartmouth Note. The north peak of Moose-Hil. College, and about fifteen miles east lock is rather higher than the south from the village of Haverhill, which ad- peak. At the time I was on the south joins Connecticut river. It is so called peak the weather was so extremely in consequence of formerly having been thick and inclement as to prevent my much frequented by Moose. The rocks, passing to the north peak. From my and also the fallen trees on the sides of own observations, however, and from tho the mountains, are covered with a thick best information I could obtain, I think bed of moss. Hard timber, such as the difference between the two peaks Beech, Maple, and Birch, intermixed does not exceed one hundred feet. I with a few Evergreens, grow around the presume, therefore, that four thousand foot of the mountain, but as we ascend, six hundred and thirty-six feet may be the Evergreens, Hemlock, Spruce, and taken for the altitude of the north peak, Firs, wholly prevail ; these as we ap- without essential error; this is, undoubtproach the summit dwindle into mere edly, the highest mountain), ex

except

the shrubs, about three feet in height. Their White Mountains) in the northern States, branches are so interlocked that it is al- if not on this side the Mississippi. The most impossible to get through them: prospect from the top of Ascutney is the suminit of the north peak was burned very fine. I have witnessed more exover a few years ago, and is now entirely tensive ones, but never a more beautiful bald ; a mere mass of bare granite rocks. one: the foregoing altitudes were calcuA silver mine is reported to have been lated from barometrical, and thermomet. discovered many years ago by some rical observations in the month of Auhunters, on the side of the mountain. gust, 1817. The position of this reported mine, how- A. PARTRIDGE, Capt. of Eng. ever, is not now known, though much vain search has been made to ascertain it. Observations on the application of Oiled In haste, with the greatest respect, silk, or Oil-skin, to the surface of the yours, sincerely,

Human Body; by ALEXANDER ŘamA. PARTRIDGE. SAY, M. D. Lecturer on Anatomy and Hon. Sav. L. MitchILL.

Physiology, &c. &c.

Feet. In the year 1796 I was induced to Altitude of Ascutney Mountain draw deductions respecting the treatment above the Sea,

3320 of the human skin, where the vessels beAltitude of the same, above Con

come enfeebled or inert, from the follow. necticut riverat Windsor Bridge, 2903 ing circumstances: When I wasa student Altitude of the same, above the of anatomy, the frequent occurrence of

house of Mr. Giles Gills, near wounds from the scalpel, oceasioned my

the foot of the mountain, 2595 adoption of finger cases formed of oil. Elevation of Connecticut river, at skin, which, being impervious to mois

Windsor Bridge above tide wa- ture, prevented the danger accruing from ter.

417 the contact of wounded parts with puAltitude of the sout's peak of trid matter. This impervious substance,

Moose-Hillock above the Sea. 4556 equally precluded the escape of vapour Altitude of the same, above the from the finger, retained the beat, and occasionally the perspiration appeared in linings are stitched in, and left over night a condensed state on the oil-skin. Ob- in foot-socks, &c. they become damp in serving this local influence, I was in the the morning, and partially overthrow the use of recommending to my pupils, in my purposes intended. lectures in Surgeon's-square, in Edin- Gloves. From what has been said, burgh, in 1796, and subsequent years, the the reader will conclude, that a cotton or application of oil-skin in all cases where flannel glove, distinct from the oil-skin, an artificial atmosphere was denoted, is to be used, over which the oil-skin in a partial or general manner to the glove is to be drawn: when they are sesurface.

parated they can be dried, resume their Whether the universal use of this sub- entire purposes; and, by drawing a comstance took its rise from those hints I mon glove over the oil-skin, the heat is have mentioned, is of little consequence increased, and the surface of the silk preto the public or to me; the proper ap- served. The lining and outer glove may plication of it, however, is of importance be adapted to the state of the patient, in to invalids; and on my late return to their fabric of cotton or worsted, &c. Europe, in 1810, I find it hurtful in some For children and old people, in gout, eases, from an ignorance of the rationale rheumatic affections, palsy, &c. these of its operation. I therefore trust, that a applications seen hihly useful.* liberal public will forgive my obtruding Waistcoats, &c. Waistcoats, or breaston their attention this subject, so long pieces, I have known to banish hæmopfamiliar to me, and so often productive tosis, and alleviate asthma: they often of the most unexpected happy conse- excite blisters if a lining is not added; quences; nor should this surprise us drawers, stockings, and foot socks, are when we consider the highly vascular now frequently in use; and local affecand nervous economy of the structure of tions of partial organs, as the throat, the skin, a diagram of which I had the joints, or surfaces of the skin, &c. are pleasure of offering, (No. 184, June, relieved by this application. All these 1814, in the London Physical Journal,) require linings only, as the cloathing and prepared with the cold injection which stocking preserve the outer surface. A

have recommended in America, and complete envelope in a desperate case of find now frequent in Europe.* I shall dropsy abroad, not only excited sensible first enumerate a few general circum- perspiration, but occasioned much allestances; and then the particular applica- viation of symptoms. tions of oil-skin.

Bed covers. I find, by several experiGeneral Observations. In all cases, the ments on myself, and some on patients, oil-skin ought to be lined with woolly that oil-skin forms a powerful substitute cotton or flannel; this at once prevents for bed clothes; indeed, a few bed the coldness of the silk being perceived clothes are necessary as interposing subwhen first applied, absorbs perspiration, stances, to lesson the over accumulation and has the effect of obviating the chilling of heat. The sudden condensation of sensation experienced after the ceasing the perspired matter, by the oil-skin in of copious perspiration.

cold weather, reflects the extricated heat I shall be particular, in pointing out, so abundantly, as to induce, occasionally, where an outside covering is denoted to copious perspiration seemingly in a short prevent frietion, because the iofluence of period. I, therefore, lay the silk over the substance is lost, whenever the sur- the blankets, with a woolly cotton interface is abraded. I should be apt to sup- posed, as an absorbent, as the oil-skin is pose, that when coarse oiled linen is usually in a profuse wet state in the adopted in place of silk, that the rongh morning, and thus injures the blankets. side should be exposed to the human In my own case, I find, that covering skin, as less conduction takes place than from the feet up to the knees sufliciently from the smooth surface.f The linings, excites the system; a weighty coverlet in all cases, ought to be loose, so as to spread over the oil-skin, occasions a regube removed, and dried or washed daily, lar application to the surface of the body, the surface of the silk ought to be spong- and thus produces a rapid and equal ex. ed with a slight soap-lather; when the citement of the external vesscis.

See No. 184 of this Journal, alluded lo. * I bave known even cutaneous eruptions 4 Excepting, however, on this account I corrected by this plan of precluding aimos. must prefer the smooth side toward the skin, pheric influence, and the use of oil-skin in as its abrasion is thus lessened, and it admits Europe and America, seems now very geneof being more easily sponged and cleancd. ral.

a

Note. The reader will easily conclude, cloth, or painted cloth. I shall refer to from the cause I have assigned, as the the annexed diagram for conveying a means of promoting heat by this appli- notion of this apparatus.* cation, that the accumulation, is in a ratio In yellow fever, in languid cases, in to the surface covered. Hence also the high temperatures of climate, in low ty. danger of healthful persons incorrectly phus, &c. vapour-bath became the only resorting to this coverlet, as several la- preparatory means by which I quelled dies and gentlemen experienced in Lon- the irritation of the stomach, and thus don, the oil-skin is applicable only in paved the way for medical application. cold weather, or feebleness, &c.

I have only to add, that cheapness and A cloak may be safely used composed durability of an article so extensively of this substance, provided the collar was useful as the substance, the application kept from contact of the person so as to

of which I have proposed, has become admit air, and the same was used in the an object of my attention. Mr. John body; there should not be any arms, but Hargrave has, at his own expense, in a a lap seul as the hussar cloaks. Several manner equally polite and philanthropic, British ofiicers died, in consequence of furnished ine with materials, and institight cloaks, during the war on the Pen- tuted such experiments as I suggested. insula, from the heat excited, which ex- This gentleman, therefore, is in possesposed them to the influence of sudden sion of my opinions, respecting not only transition.

the manner of preparing oiled silk and Envelop. Where great cold is expe- cloth, but merits my recommending him rienced, or sudden perspiration denoted, to public attention and confidence. would an envelop of flannel, applied to the skin, around which a similar covering are the powers of nature occasionally, !

* In this dreadful malady, so exhausted of oil-skin may be wrapped, produce the have witnessed a patient, in the syncopy of intended effect? My experiments on death, from the indiscretion of the nurse myself seem to favour this opinion.* permitting him to rise to make water or

Vapour-Bath. No circumstance har- stool, in place of introducing the bed-panc rowed up my feelings more cruelly than I was forced to permit the unhappy victims the sufferings of patients in the yellow- to remain longer in the squalid linens they fever hospitals, which I have visited shifting them, often terminated in fainting,

wore than cleanliness seemed to dictate, as abroad. The fatigue endured by con

in aggravated symptoms, and even in death, veying them from their chambers to the

+ In all cases of irritation or spasm, as asthivapour bath, seemed to induce aggravat- ma, colds, incipient fever, &c. vapour-bath ed symptoms. This occasioned my pro- seens denoted as a laudable application; posing the plan of the following portable and, if the plan proposed here succeeds, vapour-bath, formed of oiled 'silk or wuch expense incurred by individuals in the