Dublin.
_Many Children at a Birth_ (Vol. iii., pp. 64. 347.).--In _The Natural
History of Wiltshire_: by John Aubrey, F.R.S., edited by John Britton,
Esq., is the following passage:
"At Wishford Magna is an inscription to Thomas Bonham and Edith
his wife, who died 1473 and 1469. Mrs. Bonham had _two_ children
at one birth the first time; _and he being troubled at it_,
travelled, and was absent seven years. After his returne, she was
_delivered of seven children at one birth_. In this parish is a
confident tradition that these seven children were all baptized at
the font in this church, and that they were brought thither in a
kind of chardger, which was dedicated to this church, and hung on
two nailes, which are to be seen there yet, neer the belfree on
the south side. Some old men are yet living that doe remember the
chardger. This tradition is entred into the Register-booke there,
from whence I have taken this narrative," 1659.--See Hoare's
_Modern Wilts_, p. 49. J. B.
The following is also from the same book:
"Dr. Wm. Harvey, author of _The Circulation of the Blood_, told me
that one Mr. Palmer's wife, in Kent, did beare a child every day
for five daies together."