Very interesting. I see in my book that today is the birthday of Sabine Baring-Gould.
I ask myself, “Who is this Englishwoman? Some writer of romantic novels, perhaps?”

No, indeed, Sabine is a man. He was a Victorian archaelogist, clergyman, architect, artist, teacher, novelist, historian, theologian, and collector of English folk songs. He learned six languages between the ages of three and sixteen. Then, he attended Cambridge University. He also wrote the hymn, “Onward, Christian Soldiers.” According to this biographical article, “tales of his eccentricity abound.” He became interested in a mill girl named Grace whom he took out of the mills, educated at his own expense, and then married. It is said that their romance was the basis for the play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. Sabine and Grace were married for some forty plus years and had fifteen children, of whom fourteen lived to adulthood. Not a bad percentage.

I almost believe the following story told about him:
“Although Sabine Baring-Gould had 15 children it appears he had little understanding of them. Apparently at a children’s party one evening he called to a young child, “And whose little girl are you?”
The child burst into tears and said “I’m yours, Daddy”.

This could happen with fifteen children. This could happen with eight children.