"One of his intimate acquaintances was Charles Wolfe. The exquisite lines on the burial of Sir John Moore were suggested by O'Sullivan reading to him the description in the Annual Register of the retreat from Corunna. Immediately after, the two friends went out to wander in the fields. During their ramble Wolfe was silent and moody. On their return to their College chambers he repeated the first and last stanzas of the ode that has made his name immortal."
Knowing the source from which this assertion emanates, I have no reason to suspect the veracity of the writer.
There is an additional proof, which is well worthy of being recorded in your pages, and of which I have had ocular demonstration. In the Royal Irish Academy there is an original letter, framed, in the handwriting of Wolfe, of which I send you an exact fac-simile. You will perceive that it contains a copy of the poem, and that his signature is attached to it, I need not add any more.
CLERICUS.
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."