Transcription
The WONDER of WONDERS B E I N G A strange and wonderful Relation concerning the Mermaid that was seen and spoke with on the Cliff of Cromarry, near Inverness in Scotland, by a young Gentleman, a Merchant, named Lauchland Mac- kintosh, who was tossed on the main 'Ocean for four Days and Nights, Together with an account of his wonderful Dream, and the strange Conversation he had with the Mermaid, and how he was preser- Ved, but died in five Days after his Return to Inverness. ON the Twenty-fifth of June last, one Mr. JAMES FORBES, Captain and Command- er of the Ship call'd the Dolphin, in her pas- sage for Amsterdam in Holland, was beat back by a. tempestuous Wind ; but all the Men got safe on Shore, except a young Gentlemen, a Merchant, Call'd Lauchland Mackintosh, who was taken very ill, and f'ast asleep on board of the Ship, was left to the Almighty's Providence, and to the Mercies of the Seas and Wind, until at length he awaked in a great dread, tossing on the main Ocean, and frighted with dreadful dreams: For the said Lauch- land Mackintosh dream'd, that he was upon the top of a high Mountain, whose top, he thought reached to the Heavens Firmament, or Skies ; and that there was on the top of the Mountain an ex- ceeding fine Castle, about the Circumference of a Mile, and furnished with all Sorts of fine Dia- monds and precious Stones, and a Well, whose Water was as sweet as Honey, and white as Milk, that whosoever drank of that Well should never be dry again; and all sorts of fine musick very delightful to hear, so that they would think, as he supposed, seven Years not so long as a Day in that Place. After having viewed the Castle round, he obser- ved to his great Admiration a beautiful young La- dy, who was guarded by seven Serpents, very fright- ful to behold. Suppose the young Lady was very beautifull. yet he wished rather to be a thousand Miles off than in the fight of those Serpents : And looking round about, he espy'd (to his great com- fort) a green Gate, and a Street pav'd with blue Marble, which open'd at his coming to it, and so he got away from the Serpents : But coming to the Top of the Hill did not know how to get down, it being very high and steep, but he found a Ladder to his Comfort; it being very slender was afraid to venture, but at last was obliged to make Use of it, for one of the Serpents having taken notice of him, pursued him so very hard, that he was in great danger, and thought he fell and broke his right Leg, and that the Serpent fell upon him, which awakened him in a great fright, and almost -made him mad. But by this you most think what great trouble he was in, awaking alone On the main Ocean, when missing all the rest of the Ship's Crew, and likewise the great danger he was in : But to his great Amaze- ment espied a beautiful young Lady (as he thought) combing her head.and tossing on the Billows,cloathed all in Green, (but by Chance he got the first word of her) with a Smile the comes on board, and in Latin asked how he did. The young man being something smart, and a Scholar, replied, Madam, I am (the better to see you in good Health) in great hopes trusting you will be a Comfort and Assistance to me in my low Condition, and so caught hold of her Comb and green Girdle that was about her Waist, To which she replied, Sir. you ought not to rob a young Woman of her Riches, and then expect a Favour at her Hand ; but if you 1) give me my Comb and Girdle again, what lies in my Power I will do for you. . At which Time he had no Power to keep them from her, but mediately de- liver'd them up again. She then smiling thanked him, and told him, If he would meet her against next Friday, she would set him safe on shore. He had no Power to deny her, but readily gave his Consents At which time she gave him a Compass, and desired him steer South West. He thanked her, and told her he wanted some News, he said she would tell him the next Occassion, when he fulfilled his Promise; but he should find his Father and Mother much grieved about him; and so jump- ing into the Sea, she departed out of his sight. After her Departure the Tempest ceased, and blew a fair Gale to South West, and he got safe on the Shore. But when he Came to his Fathers house, he found every thing as she had told him : For she told him also concerning his being left on Ship- board, and how ail the Seamen got safe to Land, and he found it all true what she had told him, ac- cording to the Promise she made him. He was still very much troubled in his mind how to perform. his Promise; but mind, while he was thus muling, she appeared to him with a smiling Countenance,' and (by his Misfortune) she got .the first Word of him, so that he could not speak one Word, but was quite dumb, yet he took Notice of what Words she spoke; and thus she began to sing: When the white Hart comes to Inverness, What will befal no Man can guess : 'Tis true King George he rules the Land, And he hath Men at his Command. King George he likewise ruleth high. And he hath many an Enemy; Yet he will over rule them all, And make their Pride to have a Fall. And after these Debates shall cease, Old England then will be at peace ; The'll have no Reason to complain, Trading will flourish once again. Upon which she departed out of the young man's fight, taking from him the Compass. She took a Ring from off her Finger, and put it upon the young Man's Finger, and said, she expected to see him once again with more Freedom, but he never saw her more : Upon which he came to him- self again, went home, was taken very ill, and died in five Days after, to the wonderful Admira- tion of all People who heard and saw the young Gentleman, F I N I S.
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Probable date published:
1760- shelfmark: APS.4.87.46
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