NINTH DAY.] MERMAID. 245 



did, to put a few questions to the elder of the two 

 ladies such as, on what day, and precisely where 

 this singular phenomenon had appeared. She had 

 noted down, not merely the day, but the hour and 

 minute, and produced a map of the place. Oar 

 bather referred to his journal, arid showed that a 

 human animal was swimming in the very spot at that 

 very time, who had some of the characters ascribed 

 to the mermaid, but who laid no claim to others, 

 particularly the green hair and fish's tail ; but being 

 rather sallow in the face, was glad to have such 

 testimony to the colour of his body beneath his 

 garments. 



POIET. But I do not understand upon what 

 philosophical principles you deny the existence of the 

 mermaid. We are not necessarily acquainted with 

 all the animals that inhabit the bottom of the sea; 

 and I cannot help thinking there must have been 

 some foundation for the fable of the Tritons and 

 Nereids. 



HAL. Ay; and of the ocean divinities, Neptune 

 and Amphitrite ! 



POIET. Now I think you are prejudiced. 



HAL. I remember the worthy baronet, whom I 

 just now mentioned, on some one praising the late 

 Sir Joseph Banks very highly, said, " Sir Joseph was 

 an excellent man but he had his prejudices." 



