Dr. W. H. Russell, the well-known correspondent of the Times,
publishes in that journal on Friday a remarkable letter -On. the "Sea-serpent." He says that in 1851 he heard from a venerable lady of unmistakable character a full account of the appearance of a sea-serpent off the Bay of Greiss, in the Isle of Lewis, which was wounded with bullets by the fishermen, and for some time lay with its head extended on a rock. It left some of its scales there, and some were given to Dr. Russell, but he unfortunately lost them. They were as big as scallop-shells. He affirms, also, that Dr. Joass, Minister of Golspie, walking by the sea near Dunrobin, saw an im- mense sea-serpent, as did also Lady Florence Chaplin, who was walking with him. The letter is, of course, only a contribu- tion to an immense mass of evidence ; but, it is noteworthy because everybody knows Dr. Russell, and knows that, although he may unconsciously paint up a description, he does not invent, and is a singularly keen judge of evidence. Of course, his letter will have no manner of weight, for the multi- tude has made up its mind that there is no sea-serpent, and in the face of that plebiscitum, what is the value of facts ? A true democrat ought to believe even now that the sun goes round the earth, for the immense majority of mankind is on that aide.
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