114 SEAL AND MERMAIDS. 



hauling in an almost interminable length of line over the 

 side of a motionless boat, is an abomination. Like mud- 

 shooting, this is only work for a peasant, and should ac- 

 cordingly be excluded from the list of gentlemanly pursuits, 

 and consigned entirely to those with whom fishing is a 

 trade ; and profit, not pleasure, the object of their pisca- 

 tory occupations. He who has experienced the glorious 

 sensations of sailing on the western ocean, a bright autumnal 

 sky above, a deep green lucid swell around, a steady breeze, 

 and as much of it as the hooker can stand up to, will 

 estimate the exquisite enjoyment our morning's mackerel- 

 fishing afforded. 



In following the shoal, we had crossed the bay, and got 

 under the Achil shore. Having made sail again, we stretched 

 over towards the Bull's Mouth, attracted by an immense 

 play of sea- fowls. It was nearly low water, and while running 

 past Innisbiggle, we observed several seals basking on the 

 rocks. One was so curiously couched among the seaweed, as 

 to render its species a subject of doubt and discussion, until 

 the close approach of the boat obliged it to quit the rock, 

 and thus afford a distinct view, while, to use the skipper's 

 phrase, it wabbled to the water. From the strange and 

 undefined ideas the seal's first appearance occasioned, accus- 

 tomed as we were to see the animal in its varied attitudes of 

 action or repose, it is not surprising that numerous and ridi- 

 culous extravagances have had their origin in the Phocse tribe 

 being seen under accidental circumstances by the wild and 

 credulous peasantry of this remote district. To these animals, 

 the submarine beings, who have for ages delighted the lovers 

 of the marvellous, may, without much difficulty, be traced ; 

 and many a wonder-stricken fisherman imagined himself 

 watching the movements of a mermaid, while all the time he 

 was only staring at a sea-calf. 



A whimsical instance of the credulity of the peasantry was 

 mentioned by my kinsman. Some years ago, a party engaged 

 in a fishing excursion on the coast, came- to in Achil Sound, 

 and, leaving the boat, took up their quarters for the night in 

 the priest's house, which was situated in a neighbouring 

 village. One of the company was hunch-backed, with a face 

 cf singular and grotesque expression. Having indulged 

 gloriously over-night in the native beverage, which the honest 

 priest most liberally supplied, the little gentleman found 



