peachment would afford to question the decisions of the council of Nice, and of all other councils. To persons who admitted with the author, "that general councils, and chiefly those which the Roman church approved, had an authority next to that of the canonical books, and that we are no less obliged to obey them than to believe the Holy Scriptures," such objections would carry much weight with them. Of this description was the greater part of the African bishops, who were confirmed by Ferrandus in their opposition to the decree of the emperor Justinian, commanding the three chapters to be condemned. Ferrandus died before the year 551. The most considerable of his works is "A Collection of Ecclesiastical Canons," for restoring discipline in the churches of Africa, which is one of the first and most ancient collections of canons among the Latins. It consists of two hundred and thirty-two canons, which are not given at full length, but in an abridged form, and are taken from the councils of Africa, Ancyra, Laodicea, Nice, Antioch, &c. It was first published at Paris by M. Pitheus, together with Cresconius's abridged collection of canons, in 1588, octavo. Besides the articles already mentioned, there are still extant "An Exhortation to count Reginus," respecting the duties of a christian captain; a "Life of St. Fulgentius, Bishop of Ruspa," generally ascribed to our author, but suspected by some to have been written by a person who lived longer and more constantly with Fulgentius than he did; two "Letters" to Fulgentius; and some other remains, which were collected together by father Chifflet, and published at Dijon, 1649, quarto. From Chifflet's edition, the works of Ferrandus have been translated into the ninth volume of the "Bibliotheca Patrum." Cave's Hist. Lit. vel. I. sub sac. Eutych. Dupin. Moreri.-M. FERRARI, LEWIS, an ingenious Italian mathematician, to whom the honour is due of having been the inventor of the first method of resolving biquadratic equations, was born at Bologna, about the year 1521. Repairing to Milan, he studied the mathematics under the celebrated Cardan, who, having had a probiem proposed to him for solution, gave it as an exercise of ingenuity to his pupil. While engaged in working it, he happily discovered a new method of analysis, which is precisely that or biquadratics. His master, who gave this His master, who gave this method in the thirty-ninth chapter of his algebra, has assigned it to its real inventor, and in different parts of his works has furnished us With the few notices which we have of Fer

rari, who, as he left no works behind him, would otherwise, most probably, have remained unknown to posterity. Montuola, in hist first volume "De Progressu Matheseos," has explained this method, and defended Ferrari against those writers who have endeavoured to rob him of the honour of this discovery. When Ferrari was eighteen years of age, he was equal to the task of public tutor in arithmetical science, and of disputing with the most celebrated mathematicians. D. Ferrant Gonzague, governor of Milan, employed him for some time in calculations necessary for the administration of affairs in that duchy; from which service he removed to undertake the office of professor of mathematics at Bologna. In that situation he died, in 1565, before he had completed his forty-fifth year. Besides the mathematical sciences, Ferrari was well skilled in architecture, a good geographer, and intimately acquainted with the Greek and Latin classics, as well as with the other branches of polite learning. Like his master Cardan, however, he was infatuated with judicial astrology: a circumstance that might contribute in no small degree to render him so favourite a disciple as he appears to have been, with that extraordinary character. Landi's Hist. de la Lit. d'Italie. tom. IV. liv. xi. Hutton's Math. Dict. under the article biquadric equation.—M.

FERRARI, or FERRARIUS, FRANCIS BERNARDIN, a learned Italian writer in ecclesiastical antiquities, was born at Milan, in the year 1577. He appears to have been educated in his native city, where he so greatly distinguished himself by his progress in the different branches of sacred and profane literature, that he attracted the notice, and acquired the patronage and esteem of Frederick Borromeo, archbishop of Milan. He was also eminent for his intimate and extensive acquaintance with literary productions, whether printed or manuscript; on which account, when his patron had projected the formation of a grand library at Milan, he appointed Ferrari to travel through different parts of Europe, to purchase the best books and MSS. for that collection. With this design he visited Spain and Italy, and procured a vast number of valuable works, which laid the foundation of the Ambrosian Library, afterwards of no little celebrity in the literary world. After his return home, he was created a doctor of the Ambrosian College at Milan, and appointed librarian of the new institution. About the year 1638 he was nominated director of the College of Nobles, then recently erected at Padua ; but his state of health would not permit him to re

factor the king of France on the other, caused him to leave his papers unfinished and unpublished. The loss is judged to be small, for, as a polite writer, he had all the faults of an age abounding in false eloquence. He is principally esteemed as an antiquary, in which capacity he made himself known by several learned works. These are, "De Re Vestiaria," 1642, several times edited; to which he afterwards added "Analecta," on the same subject, against Rubenius, and dissertations "De Lucernis Sepulchralibus Veterum, De Pantomimis & Mimis, De Balneis & Gladiatoribus:" "Electorum Lib. II," 1679; often reprinted, and much admired for erudition, but suspected by some to have been found by him among the papers of his uncle Bernardino: "Origines Lingue Italicæ," 1676. He died in 1684. Moreri. Tiraboschi.-A.

FERRARI, PHILIP, an Italian monk of the order of Servites, who died in the year 1626, was born at Orvillo, a village in the neighbourhood of Alexandria, the capital of the territory which goes by its name. He acquired considerable reputation for his knowledge of the learned languages, theology, the belles-lettres, and particularly of the mathematics, which were his favourite study, and which he taught with great success and applause for forty-eight 'years, in the university of Pavia. By his abilities and character he recommended himself to the esteem of popes Clement VIII., Paul V., and Urban VIII., and obtained the honour of being twice elected general, and twice vicegeneral, of his order. He was the author of various books, among which were "Typographia in Martyrologium Romanum" "Epitome Geograp. Lib. ÏV, &c.” But his principal production was his "Lexicon Geographicum," into which the most important parts of his other productions were introduced. It was afterwards republished at Paris, by the abbé Baudrand, about the year 1670, with additions equal in point of quantity to the whole of the original matter. From this edition various impressions were copied at Padua, Geneva, and Basil. It has, however, been convicted of numerous inaccuracies by M. Bruzen de la Martiniere and William Sanson. Moreri. Nouv. Dict. Hist.-M.

for the study of the law; and such was his proficience, that he became a distinguished pleader in Westminster-hall. He was noticed by the minister, lord Cromwell, and obtained the favour of the king, Henry VIII., whom he attended as well in a military as a civil.capacity. In 1535 a considerable grant was made to him out of the royal demesnes in Hertfordshire, comprehending the manor of Flamstead. Want of economy, however, brought his affairs into such a situation, that in 1542, when attending parliament as a representative for Plymouth, he was arrested for debt by a sheriff's officer, and lodged in the Compter. This incident occasioned a remarkable law-case, reported in Hollinshed's Chronicle, volume ii. the issue of which was, that Ferrars was set at liberty by virtue of privilege of parliament, and the sheriffs of London, officers, and creditor who procured the arrest, were committed to prison for contempt. Ferrars continued in favour during Henry's reign, and was placed about the person of the prince Edward. In the next reign he accompanied the protector, Somerset, to Scotland, as one of the commissioners of the army. He afterwards acted in a very different capacity, being created Lord of Misrule, or master of the sports, at a festivity held at Greenwich for twelve days in order to amuse the young king. This appointment was probably owing to his reputation as a poet, which he has transmitted to posterity by some metrical stories of his composition inserted in the "Mirrour for Magistrates," of which the first edition appeared in 1559. More of his pieces. are contained in the edition of 1587. In these there is a tolerably smooth versification, though little that deserves the title of poetry. On the authority of Stowe it appears that Ferrars was also the author of "The History of the Reign of Queen Mary," in the Chronicle published under the name of Richard Grafton. Before he quitted the profession of the law, he had published a double "Translation of Magna Charta" from the French into Latin and English, and other "Laws,' enacted in the Time of Henry III. and Edward I. translated into English." This writer died at his house at Flamstead, in 1579. Biogr. Britan.-A.

FERRE, VINCENT, a Spanish monk of the dominican order, of distinguished reputation among the theologians of his time, was born at Valencia, towards the beginning of the seventeenth century. After having taught the ology for some time at Burgos, he was ap pointed the first professor in that faculty at

Rome, where he continued for eighteen years. His next appointment was to the office of prior of Salamanca; after which he filled for three years the post of director of the studies in that university, where he died about the year 1682. He was the author of a work held in much estimation by the Spaniards, and represented to be executed with great perspicuity and precision. It consists of "Commentaries on the Summa of St. Thomas," in eight volumes folio. Moreri.-M.

FERRERAS, DON JOHN DE, a Spanish theologian and historian, was born of a noble but indigent family at Labaneza, in the diocese of Astorga, in 1652. He was educated first among the Jesuits, and afterwards among the Dominicans; and devoting himself to the church, obtained the cure of Talavera-de-laReina. He distinguished himself by his talents for the pulpit, as well as by the extent and solidity of his knowledge. After some changes of situation, he became known to the cardinal Portocarrero, who conferred upon him the cure of St. Peter in Madrid, and made him his confessor. In this post, several important affairs fell under his management, and the career of ambition was open to him had he chosen to enter it. But he twice refused a bishopric, and preferred the life of a man of letters in the metropolis. He was chosen a member of the Spanish academy at its foundation in 1713, and soon after was made royal librarian. He was very serviceable to the academy, particularly in the compilation of its dictionary, to which he contributed the articles under the letter G, and a discourse on the origin of the Castilian tongue. He died at Madrid, in 1735. Don Ferreras was the author of various theological and literary works, and of some poetical pieces; but he is best known for his " General History of Spain," sixteen volumes quarto, 1700 to 1726, written in Spanish. It is accounted one of the best productions of the kind in the language, and has been translated into French by M. d'Hermilly. Moreri.-A.

FERRETI, EMILIO, an eminent lawyer of the sixteenth century, descended from a family originally of Ferrara, was born at Castel-Franco in Tuscany, in 1489. He studied at Pisa and Sienna, and afterwards went to Rome, where he became secretary to cardinal Salviati. He was admitted an advocate at the age of nineteen, on which occasion he changed his baptismal name of Dominico for that of Emilio or Emilius. A professorship of law was then conferr d upon him at Rome, and the applause he obtained in his office caused Leo X. to ap

point him his secretary. He exercised this function for some years, and then retired to his own country. Afterwards attaching himself to the marquis of Montferrat, who commanded part of the French army, he accompanied him to Rome and Naples. On his return he was made prisoner by the Spaniards, and obliged to pay a ransom. He then went to France, and taught law at Valence with great reputation. Francis I. made him a counsellor of the parliament of Paris, and employed him in embassies to the Venetians and Florentines. He was engaged in various negociations, and finally became professor of law at Avignon, where his stipend was at length raised to a thousand crowns. He died in that city in 1552; and when his successor Craveta began his lectures by some strictures upon Ferreti, the scholars shewed their attachment to their old master by hissing and driving him from the place. Ferreti was a man of general learning, and well acquainted with the Greek and Latin authors. He printed in 1541, at Lyons, a corrected edition of Cicero's Verrine and Philippic Orations. He also published several works in his own profession, among which was an exposure of the errors of Bartoli. Bayle. Moreri.-A.

FERRETO, an early historian and poet of Vicenza, was born about 1296. Of his life little is known, but it appears from his remains that he was one of those who contributed to the restoration of polite literature in Italy. He wrote, in Latin, a History of Italian affairs, particularly such as related to his own country, from the death of Frederic II. in 1250, to the year 1318. This is one of the best compositions of the age, much more elegant in its style and polished in its manner of narration than was usual at that time. It was first printed in Muratori's Collection of Writers on Italian History, volume ix. together with some Latin poems of the same author, one of which relates the origin of the Scaligers, and the actions of the great Can della Scala. His verse is likewise superior in style to that of his contemporaries. Moreri. Tiraboschi.-A.

FERRI, CIRO, an eminent painter, was the son of a man of family and property at Rome, where he was born in 1634. He became a disciple of Pietro di Cortona, whose manner he caught to such perfection, that their works are sometimes indistinguishable. He was He was a man of elevated genius, and painted in a grand style. His works bore a high price, and he was much employed by the popes and persons of rank. The grand-duke brought him to Florence, and employed him in finishing the

can.

works left imperfect by his master Cortona. He had a large pension, and was made principal of the Florentine school, which place he long possessed. On his return to Rome he distinguished himself as an architect, and several churches and great altars were erected from his designs. He also made a variety of ornamental drawings for breviaries, the title pages of books, &c. several of which were engraved. He was also employed to design cartoons for the VatiHe drew with strength and correctness, but more elegance in his figures might be desired. His last work was the cupola of St. Agnes, in the Piazza Navona, in painting which he was mortified by observing how much his colouring was weakened by the superior lustre of the angles beneath, painted by Bacici. He fell ill during the performance, and left it unfinished. He died in 1689, at the age of fiftyfive, and had a magnificent funeral at St. Maria in Trastevere. His principal works are in the churches of Rome, and at Florence, where he finished several ceilings begun by Cortona. His works are also found in all the great cabinets and collections: several have been engraved. D'Argenville. Pilkington's Dict.-A.

FERRI, PAUL, a learned protestant divine who flourished in the seventeenth century, was born at Metz in Lorrain, in the year 1591. He pursued his theological studies at Montauban, with such ardour and success, that he was qualified for the office of the ministry when only nineteen years old, and was admitted to it at Metz, in 1610. At that time he had printed a volume of poems, written in the moments of relaxation from his academic pursuits, the advertisement to which concluded with the words, "sat ludo nugisque datum," or "thus much for mirth and trifles." Ferri possessed admirable qualifications for an impressive pulpit orator. Independently of the rich furniture of his mind, he was eloquent in an uncommon degree; and he also enjoyed the advantages of a stately presence, a venerable countenance, and a graceful gesture. With these endowments he long continued the most popular preacher among the reformed in his province. His enemies falsely reported concerning him, that he received an annual pension of five hundred crowns from cardinal Richelieu, as a bribe for his services in attempting to promote an union between the catholic and protestant religions. But their report was a groundless and malignant calumny. It was either invented and propagated by his catholic adversaries, in order to lessen his influence with the members of the reformed communion, or by some zealots of that party,

who disapproved of the moderation for which he was constantly an advocate, and the measures which he encouraged for bringing about an union among the different persuasions of Protestants. The latter object he had greatly at heart, and it proved the occasion of his correspondence with Mr. Dury, which we have noticed in our life of that divine. He died of the stone, in 1669, when he had nearly completed his seventy-ninth year. He was the author of some works by which he acquired great reputatation: such as "Scholastici Orthodoxi Specimen," 1616, octavo, in which he shews that the doctrine of the Protestants on the subject of grace, has been taught by the schoolmen; "Le Dernier Desespoir de la Tradition contre l'Ecriture, &c." 1618; "Remarques d'Histoires sur le Discours de la Vie & de la Mort de St. Livier, & le Reçit de ses Miracles nouvellement publies par le sieur de Ramberviller, &c." published anonymously in 1624; “Pauli Ferrii Vindicia pro Scholastico Orthodoxo, adversus Leonardum Perinum, Jesuitam, &c. in quibus agitur, de Prædestinatione & annexis, de Gratia & Libero Arbitrio, de Causa Peccati & Justificatione," 1630; and, "Catechisme Général de la Reformation," 1654, which called forth in reply the first polemic piece published by the celebrated Bossuet, at that time archdeacon of Metz. M. Ferri left behind him several MSS., and, among others, "Collections for a History of Metz," in three or four volumes folio, which father Calmet, in his History of Lorrain, speaks of as abounding in curicus researches. The number of his sermons was immense; and he had written no fewer than eleven hundred, on texts taken from the Epistle to the Hebrews alone. Bayle. Moreri.-M.

FERRIER, JEREMIAH, was a French protestant minister and professor of divinity at Nismes in Languedoc, in the beginning of the seventeenth century, who afterwards conformed to the catholic religion, and was made counsellor of state. In the year 1602 he had maintained in a public debate the proposition that pope Clement VIII. was properly Antichrist. What he said on that occasion gave such offence to the parliament of Toulouse,. that they issued orders for taking him into custody; from the effects of which he escaped in consequence of an arrêt from Henry IV., forbidding persons to molest him on account of that business. This arrêt appears to have been obtained through the united interests of the provincial and national synods, which considered the cause of Ferrier as what they were all concerned in as Protestants. But notwithstand