_Many Children_ (Vol. v., p. 204.).--I am indebted to the Rev. J.
Sanford, orderly preacher at the Rolls chapel, for the subjoined curious
statement, which you may add, if you please, to the instances of female
fecundity already recorded in your pages.
The Marchese Frescobaldi, the representative of one of the most ancient
Florentine families, is still possessed of a portrait of his ancestress,
Dionora Salviati, wife of Bartolomeo Frescobaldi of the same house. She
gave birth to fifty-two children, never less than three at a time; and
there is a tradition in the family that she once had six, and that
twelve were reared. The portrait was painted by the celebrated Bronzino,
who died in 1570, and has recorded the remarkable circumstance in the
following inscription placed under the picture, and in some degree has
thus made himself responsible for the authenticity of the story:--
"Dionora Salviati moglie di Bartolomeo dei Frascobaldi, fece 52
figli, e mai meno di tre per parto, come riferesce Gio. Schenzio
nei libri delle osservazioni amirabili, cioe nel libro quarto de
Parto a carta 144."