in four vols. 8vo. and was afterwards prohibited and suppressed. Bayle. Moreri. Dupin. Fortin's Life of Erasmus. Dict. Bibl. Hist. & Crit.-M.

FEVRE, JAMES LE, a French catholic divine, whose controversial works, written against the Protestants, were highly esteemed in his own communion, was born at Lisieux in Normandy, towards the middle of the seventeenth century. He sustained his part in the collegiate exercises of the Sorbonne with distinguished reputation, and received the degree of doctor of divinity in the year 1674. By M. de Gesvres, archbishop of Bourges, he was appointed one of his vicars-general, and discharged the duties of that office until his death, which took place in the year 1716. His acknowledged publications were, "Dialogues between Eudoxus and Eucharistus on Arianism, and on the History of Iconoclasts by Father Maimbourg, a Jesuit," 1674, 12mo.; "Irresistible Arguments for the Conviction of those who profess the pretended Reformed Religion," 1682, 12mo.; "A Reply to M. Arnauld, in Defence of the Irresistible Arguments," 1685, 12mo. ; "A new Conference with a Minister, respecting the Grounds of the Separation of the Protestants," 1685, 12mo.; "Instructions for the Confirmation of new Converts in the Faith of the Church," 1686, 12mo.; "A View of the Proceedings which have taken place in France, favourable, or the contrary, to the Protestants," 1686, 12mo.; and a new edition of "Avriλoyi, seu Contradictiones apparentes Sacræ Scripturæ, in breviorem methodum olim collecta a P. Dominico Magrio Melitensi, Theologo Congregationis Oratorii, nunc dimidia parte auctiores & correctiores," &c. 1685, 12mo. He was also the author of several anonymous pieces, of which the titles of some are particularised, and the subjects of the others pointed out, by Moreri.-M.

FEVRE, N. LE, a French Jesuit, who died in the year 1755. He was the author of two works which are held in estimation by catholic divines. One is "A Treatise on True Religion, in Opposition to Atheists, Deists," &c.; and the other is entitled "Bayle en Petit, ou Anatomie des Ouvrages de ce Philosophe," afterwards reprinted under the title of A Critical Examination of the Works of Bayle." Both are in 12mo., and are recommended as furnishing their readers with useful antidotes to infidelity. Nouv. Dict. Hist. Suppl. à la France

Littéraire.-M.

FEVRE, TANNEGUI LE (Latin, Tanaquil Faber, a scholar of eminence, was born in

1615 of a reputable family at Caen: After making considerable progress in the languages in a domestic education, he went to the college of La Fleche, where he greatly distinguished himself. At Paris he acquired several friends of consequence, and obtained the patronage of cardinal Richelieu, who procured him a pension of two thousand livres, as inspector of the works printed at the Louvre. After the death of that minister he went to Langres, where he declared himself a Protestant, and soon after was invited to Saumur, to the professorship of classical literature. His reputation extended at home and abroad, and pupils flocked to him from all parts. His mode of instruction was singularly excellent, and inspired a real love for letters. He was not only happy in explaining difficulties, but entered into all the beauties and delicacies of the authors on which he commented. His lectures were frequented even by the divines and the other professors. Voltaire (Siècle de Louis XIV.) asserts, that he despised those of his sect, and lived among them more as a philosopher than a huguenot. He was addicted to pleasure, and indulged his tastes without restraint. He even used perfumes like a petit-maître, but he could not, with equal facility, adopt the air and manner of the polite world. He was, however, a man of probity and sincerity, attached to his friends in all for tunes, of which he gave an honourable proof by dedicating a work to Pelisson, while a stateprisoner. Le Fevre wrote elegantly in Latin, though not without some gallicisms; and also composed Greek verses. His French is not equally good (or, rather, its defects are more obvious); he attempts to unite the gravity of Balzac with the sportiveness of Voiture, and fails in both. His works are comments upon a great number of Greek and Latin authors; and translations of select parts of several of them; two volumes of "Letters ;" "Lives of the Greek Poets, in French;" and Greek and Latin poems. He died in 1672, as he was preparing to quit Saumur for Heidelberg, whither he had been invited by the prince-palatine. He was the father and instructor of the celebrated madame Dacier (see ANNE DACIER). He had a son, long a calvinist minister, but at length a convert to popery, who was also a man of letters. Moreri. Nouv. Dict. Hist.-A.

FEUTSKING, JOHN HENRY, a learned German lutheran divine, was born in the duchy of Holstein, in the year 1672. Having finished his classical education at Itzehoë and Krempen, he went to Rostock to study philosophy and theology; and afterwards removed for

farther improvement to Wittemberg, where he was created doctor in philosophy, in the year 1692. In that university he acquired much reputation by the learning and ingenuity with which he publicly defended several theological theses. As a reward of his merit, he was appointed pastor and superintendant of the diocese of Jessen, in the year 1697. In the following year he was admitted to the degree of doctor in divinity. In 1703 he was nominated overseer and superintendant of Kemberg; from which situation he was called three years afterwards, to become pastor of the church of St. Bartholomew at Zerbst, preacher to the court, confessor and ecclesiastical counsellor, and superintendant of the diocese of Zerbst in Anhalt, by the prince of that name. In the year 1709 he accepted of an invitation from the university of Wittemberg, to undertake the offices of professor of divinity, and assessor of the ecclesiastical consistory in that city. While he discharged the duties of these situations, he likewise preached once a-week before the electress of Saxony, at Lichtenberg, and was honoured with the post of ecclesiastical counsellor to the duke of SaxeGotha. His last appointment was that of confessor to the electress of Saxony, in 1712, which he enjoyed but a short time, as he died in 1713, when only forty-one years of age. He was the author of numerous works, in the Latin and German languages, among which are, "Historia Clerogamix Evangelicæ, sive de Primo Sacerdote, marito evangelico Meletema;" "Hodegeticum Concordantiale, sive de recondito Concordantiarum Lankisianarum usu Schediasma ;""Historia Colloquii Jeverensis inter Lutheranos & Reformatos, Anno 1573, instituti;" "Sylloge præpositorum Kembergensium;""Præfatio elenctica in Nicolai Hunnii matæologiam fanaticam, sub Nomine Collegii Tripolitani evulgatam;" "Hyperaspistes Lutheri ;""Introductio in threnologiam propheticam Georgii Schimmeri;" "Gynæceum heretico-fanaticum;""Palinodia sacra, sive de retractationibus Theologorum in Rebus Fidei Schediasma;" "Orthodoxia Menzeriana ;" "Prefatio ad novam Urbani Rhegii de formulis cautè loquendi Editionem;" "Commentaries" on the first epistle to Timothy, the first and second epistles of St. John, and the epistle of St. Jude, which he annexed to a new edition of the "Evangelico-apostolical Treasure" of Hunnius; and numerous theological dissertations, sermons, &c. Moreri.—M.

FEYDEAU, MATTHEW, a French ecclesiastic, in high repute with the jansenist party, was born at Paris, in the year 1616. He pur

sued his studies in the college of the Sorbonne, where his literary proficiency, his lively genius, his unaffected piety, and polite amiable manners, procured him the respect and esteem of all ranks of persons. In the year 1645 he was engaged by M. de Bellegarde, archbishop of Sens, to deliver a course of instructions, under the name of conferences, to the young candidates for ordination in his diocese. In the year 1646 he accepted of the vicarage of Belleville, attached to the cure of St. Merri, at Paris, in which he conducted himself in the most excmplary manner as a parish priest, and was much admired as an eloquent useful preacher. While he continued in that situation, he was prevailed upon to assist with his advice several young students in philosophy and theology at the university of Paris. For their use he composed his "Meditations on the principal Duties of a Christian, taken from the Sacred Scriptures, the Councils, and the Fathers," which was published in 1649, 12mo., and has undergone numerous impressions. While he retained this vicarage, likewise, he was admitted to the degree of doctor in divinity by the faculty of the Sorbonne. From the vicarage of Belleville he was transferred to that of St. Merri, by M. Duhamel, one of the curés; and in that parish, con jointly with some other ecclesiastics, established the Conferences, which became so celebrated in the ecclesiastical history of the times, and were frequented by a number of persons equally distinguished for their learning and their merit. In the year 1650 he published "A Catechism on Grace," which he had drawn up at the request of M. Francis le Fevre de Caumartin, bishop of Amiens, and which was soon afterwards reprinted under the title of "Illustrations of certain Difficulties respecting Grace." This little work was condemned, during the same year, by a decree of the inquisition at Rome, which M. Fouquet, attorney-general of the parliament of Paris, would not permit to be promulgated in that city. Several pieces appeared from the press, however, in opposition to the "Catechism," which were answered by the celebrated M. Arnauld, in his "Reflections on a Decree of the Inquisition at Rome," printed at Paris in1651. In the year 1656 M. Feydeau was one of the seventy-two doctors who were expelled by the faculty of the Sorbonne, for refusing to subscribe to the condemnation of M. Arnauld; on which account he was also obliged to relinquish his vicarage of St. Merri. For several years afterwards he lived chiefly in retirement, in which he produced his "Reflections on the History and Harmony of the Gospels," in

two vols. 12mo., which has been often reprinted both in France and Flanders. In the year 1665 M. Pavillon, bishop of Aleth, gave him a prebend in his diocese, which he resigned three years afterwards to undertake the cure of Vitri le François in Champagne. For seven years he discharged the duties of that benefice, with great diligence and zeal, but was then obliged to resign his charge, to the great regret of his flock, in consequence of the persecutions with which his party was harassed. So greatly was his character esteemed, however, that M. de Buzenval, bishop of Beauvais, soon after wards appointed him a prebend in his church; but his enemies pursued him into his new asylum, and by a lettre de cachet, in the year 1677, procured his banishment to Bourges. When, after five years' residence in that place, he had acquired the respect and esteem of all the worthy part of the inhabitants, he was by another lettre de cachet banished to Annonai in the Vivarès, where he died in 1694, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. Moreri.-M.

FICINUS, MARSILIUS, a learned Italian ecclesiastic in the fifteenth century, and one of the first revivers of the platonic philosophy in the West, was born at Florence, in the year 1433. His father, who was physician to Cosmo de Medici, intending to bring him up to his own profession, sent him to study medicine at Bologna; where, by reading the academical questions of Cicero, and other Latin writers who have treated of the philosophy of Plato, he became passionately attached to the principles of that Grecian sage. On his return home for a On his return home for a short visit, his father took the opportunity of introducing him to Cosmo de Medici, who was much pleased with his appearance and manners, and still more so with his conversation, when he found that he was an enthusiast in favour of Platonism. Cosmo, who was himself a Platonist, and who had projected the establishment of an academy in which his favourite philosophy should be taught, considering young Ficinus to possess a genius and talents which, if properly cultivated, would fit him for a leading situation in such an institution, determined to take upon himself the care of his farther education, and to give his abilities full scope by furnishing him with every advantage which Italy then afforded for improvement. With this view he placed him under the ablest instructors in the different branches of literature, and among others under George Gemistus, called also Pictho, a native of Constantinople, who was a man of great learning, and intimately conversant in the Alexandrian philosophy. By this tutor particu

lar attention was paid to make him a proficient in the Greek language, and in the doctrine of his school, with the design of qualifying him to translate the writings, and to revive the philosophy of Plato. Ficinus availed himself, with great diligence and success, of the advantages which were afforded him; and, besides his progress in the languages and philosophy, distinguished himself by the knowledge which he acquired in the belles-lettres, medicine, and theology, as well as by his taste in vocal and instrumental music. At the same time he enjoyed the benefit of conversation with many able and learned men, who frequented the house of his patron. Some of the first fruits of his studies which he presented to his patron were, translations into Latin verse of the "Pæmander, and Asclepius," at that time attributed to Hermes Trismegistus; and the "Hymns of Orpheus," which he sung, and accompanied his voice with his harp. By way of reward, as well as of encouragement to his future exertions, Cosmo bestowed upon him an estate near Careggi, in the territory of Florence, and a house in the city, together with some Greek MSS. - beautifully written, and richly ornamented. When that patron of literature had founded his academy, he nominated Ficinus to the station of president. After this appointment Ficinus applied himself to the translation of the whole of Plato's works into the Latin language; which was first printed at Florence in gothic characters, but without any date on the title-page. He is said to have completed this work when he was only thirty-five years of age. Some writers relate, that when he had finished his version, he submitted it to the inspection of his friend Marcus Musurus; and that upon his expressing a disapprobation of it, Ficinus began the work anew, and produced, with greater care and at-tention, that copy which was committed to the press. This anecdote bears honourable testimony to his great industry; and for that quality in the execution of it, the author is more to be commended, than for a faithful adherence to the meaning of his original. Ficinus entertained the notion which prevailed among the christian fathers, that the doctrine of Plato had some kind of pretensions to divine origin, and might be fairly construed into a perfect agreement with that of divine revelation. With this impression on his mind, he was led in his interpretation frequently to discover a bias towards the alexandrian or christian doctrine, which the language of Plato will not warrant, and, consequently, rather to present us with his own conceptions, than those of the Grecian philo

sopher. His Latin style, likewise, is defective in that richness and dignity which are requisite in a version of Plato. The same observations are, in a great measure, applicable to his translation of Plotinus, which he undertook principally at the solicitation of John Picus of Mirandola, and to his translations from the works of Iamblicus, Proclus, Synesius, Psellus, Theophrastus, and other Platonists. After the death of Cosmo, Ficinus found liberal patrons in his son Pietro, and his grandson Lorenzo the Magnificent. By the former, copies of his transla tion of Plato's works were dispersed throughout Europe, and he was encouraged to deliver a series of lectures in illustration of them, at the university of Florence. The fame of these lectures soon spread to the remotest parts, and drew a vast concourse of auditors to his school. Among his disciples were many who became celebrated for their science and literature, or for the dignified stations which they filled in civil and ecclesiastical life. By their means Platonism was propagated over all Italy, as well as other parts of Europe, particularly Germany, and made wide encroachments on that unrivalled dominion which the peripatetic philosophy had for ages possessed in the schools. Lorenzo, likewise, proved himself the friend and patron of Ficinus. When the latter was about fortytwo years of age, his mind took a more religious turn than in the earlier part of his life, in consequence of the impressions made on him by the eloquent discourses of Savanorola, who came to preach at Florence. From that time he determined to embrace the ecclesiastical profession, and to devote the greater part of his attention to theological studies. When he had entered into orders, Lorenzo obtained for him a canonry of the cathedral church of Florence, together with the administration of two parishes in that city, and would have procured for him more valuable preferments, had not the philosophic moderation of Ficinus led him to refuse his patron's liberal offers. As an ecclesiastic, he was very assiduous in the discharge of his professional duties, and preached, as he had presided in the philosophical chair, with great acceptability and applause. His sermons, however, were strongly tinctured with the mysticism of his philosophical school; as are also his numerous theological productions. The leisure time which Ficinus could spare from his various avocations, was spent by him in the pleasant retreat for which he was indebted to the munificence of the house of Medici. Indeed, so delicate was his constitution, that a change of air was frequently necessary for his recovery from

the disorders which were brought upon him by a too close confinement to his studies at Flo rence, and his great exertion in his different engagements. In his retreat he was generally accompanied by a few chosen friends, with whom he spent his time in literary conversation, and innocent amusements, taking peculiar pleasure in shewing good offices to men of talents and genius, and in acts of benevolence towards the necessitous and unfortunate. He died there in 1499, about the age of sixty-six. He was a man of great sweetness and moderation of temper, simple and pleasing in his manners, and is commended for the purity of his morals, and the ardour of his piety. But that the latter sometimes degenerated into superstition, is apparent from many passages in his works which are unworthy of a philosopher. It was, likewise, in common with most of the philosophers of his time, much addicted to the reveries of ju dicial astrology. Baronius has gravely related, upon the testimony of persons whom he calls credible and very learned witnesses, that after his death Ficinus appeared to his friend Michael Mercatus, in conformity to a promise which he had made when living, to satisfy him of the truth of what he had formerly taught concerning the immortality of the soul. For a list of his numerous theological, philosophical, and other works, we must refer our readers to Cave and Moreri. They were collected together and published, in two vols. folio, at Venice in 1516, at Basil in 1561 and 1576, and at Paris in 1641. In a separate form, the author's translation of the works of Plato was printed at Venice in 1491, at Lyons in 1590, and at Frankfort in 1c02; his translation of the works of Plotinus at Basil in 1580; and his epistles, in twelve books, containing numerous treatises, at Venice in 1495, folio, and at Nuremberg in 1497, 4to. Cave's Hist. Lit. vol. II. sub sæc. Synod. Moreri. Landi's Hist. de la Lit. d'Italie, vol. III. liv. ix.-M.

FIDDES, RICHARD, a divine of the church of England, and author of several works, was born at Hunmanby, near Scarborough in Yorkshire, in the year 1671. His grammar learning he received at a private school in the neighbourhood of his native place, and was thence sent to the university of Oxford, where he was at first admitted at Corpus Christi, and afterwards at University college. His progress in academical studies appears to have been commendable; and his address and manners procured him many friends in the university. In the year 1693 he took his degree of B.A.; after which he quitted college, and entered into