to worship God as a being who could only be represented as existing in time and space, would be a species of idolatry. One of Fichte's colleagues called the attention of the Saxon minister Burgsdorf to these heretical propositions; and the consequence was, the rigorous confiscation of the periodical work in question. Fichte and his friend Forberg wrote an Appeal to the Public, and several Apologies, in order to exculpate themselves from the imputation of atheism. The Controversy was carried on with great violence, and excited considerable ferment throughout the whole of Germany. In the mean time Fichte resigned his professorship at Jena and repaired to Berlin, where his time was occupied in giving private lectures and in private composition. In 1800 he published a treatise, entitled The exclusive Commercial State. About this period he met with a formidable rival in Schelling, who had formerly been a partizan of the doctrine of science, but who now separated from his master, and propounded a new metaphysical theory, which soon acquired a large share of popularity at the German universities. Fichte, indeed, endeavoured to modify his theory of that doctrine, and to present it to the world in a more attrac tive form; but he never again recovered his popularity. Meanwhile, his wish to be re-placed in an academical chair was at length gratified by M. de Hardenberg, who, in 1805, procured for him the appointment of ordinary professor of philosophy in the university of Erlangen. This was accompanied with the especial favor of being permitted to pass the winter at Berlin, in order to finish his lectures. During the summer of 1805, he lectured at Erlangen on the Essence of the Literary Character (uber das Wesen des Gelehrten.) The following winter he delivered to a numerous audience the course which he afterwards published under the title of Guide to a Happy Life, one of the best expositions of his metaphysical doctrines. Erlangen having ceased to be a Prussian university in 1806, Fichte returned to Koningsberg, and from thence to Riga. In the summer of 1807 he delivered a popular course of philosophical lectures at the former place. The peace soon after enabled him to return to Berlin, where he pronounced his famous Orations to the German Nation, which were enthusiastically read and applauded throughout all Germany. On the university of Berlin being founded, he obtained, through the interest of Humboldt, the situation of rector, which secured to him an honorable revenue, and great academical influence. His health, however, had suffered from the varieties of fortune he had experienced, and he was just recovering his strength at the waters of Bohemia, when his wife was attacked with a nervous fever: she recovered; but Fichte, whose affection would not allow him to leave her for a moment, caught the disorder and died on the 29th of January, 1814. Fichte was a voluminous writer; and we are indebted for the following list of his works to the Supplement of the Encyclopædia Britannica: 1. Versuch einer Kritik aller Offenbarung. (Critical Review of all Revelation). Koningsberg, 1792, 1793, 8vo. 2. Ueber den Begriff der Wissenschaftslehre. (On the Notion of a Doctrine of Science). Jena, 1794. 8vo. 3. Grundlage der gesammten Wissenschaftslehre. (Foundation of the whole Doctrine of Science). Ibid. 1794. 8vo. 4. Grundriss des eigenthumlichen der Wissenscaftlehre. (Sketch of the Peculiarity of the Doctrine of Science). Ibid. 1795. 5. Vorlesungen ueber die Bestimmung des Gelehrten. (Lectures on the Literary Calling). Jena, 1794. 6. System der Sittenlehre. (System of the Doctrine of Morals). Jena and Leipsic, 1795. 7. Beyträge zur Berichtigung der Urtheile des Publicums ueber die Französische Revolution. (Materials for Rectifying the Opinions of the Public respecting the French Revolution). 8. Grundlage des Naturrechts. (Foundation of the Law of Nature). Jena, 1796, 1797. 2 vols. 8vo. 9. Appellation an das Publicum ueber die ihm beygemessenen atheistischen Aeussem rngen. (Appeal to the Public respecting the Atheistical Expressions imputed to him). Jena and Leipsic, 1799. 10. Ueber die Bestimmung des Menschen. (On the Destiny of Man). 11. Der geschlossene Handelsstaat. (The exclusive Commercial State). 12. Sonnenklarer Bericht an das grössere Publicum ueber das eigentliche Wesen der neusten Philosophie. (Luminous Report to the greater Public, on the peculiar Character of the Modern Philosophy). Berlin, 1801. 13. Wissenschaftslehre. (Doctrine of Science.) Tübingen, 1802. 8vo. Vorlesungen ueber das Wesen der Gelehrten. (Lectures on the Literary Character). Berlin, 1806. 15. Die Grundzuge des gegenwärtigen Zeitalters. (The Characteristics of the present Age). Ibid. 1806. 16. Anweisung zum seligen Leben. (Guide to a Happy Life). Ibid. 1806. 17. Reden an die Deutsche Nation. (Discourses to the German Nation). Ibid. 1806. 18. Die Wissenschaftslehre in ihrem allgemeinsten Umrisse dargestellt. (The Doctrine of Science exhibited in its most general Outline). Ibid. 1810. 19. Freidrich Nicolai's Leben und Sonderbare Meinungen, herausgegeben von Schlegel. (Life and singular Opinions of Frederic Nicolai, edited by Schlegel). Tübingen, 1801. 20. Antwortschrieben an K. L. Reinhold, auf dessen Beyträge zur leichtern Uebersicht des Zastandes der Philosophie, &c. (Answer to K. L. Reinhold, on his Materials for acquiring a more easy View of the State of Philosophy, &c.) Ibid. 1801. 21. Ueber die einzig mögliche Störung der academischen Freyheit. (On the only possible Disturbance of Academical Freedom). Berlin, 1812. 22. Uber den Begriff des wahrhaften Kriegs, in Bezug auf den Kreig in Jahre 1813. (On the Notion of real War, with Reference to the War in 1813). Tübingen, 1815. Fichte is also the author of numerous essays in periodical publications, and particularly in the philosophical journal, edited by himself and Niethammer. 14. FICHTELBERG, a mountain, or rather a ridge of mountains, in Franconia, extending nearly from Bareuth to Eger in Bohemia, sixteen miles in length from east to west, and as many in breadth from north to south. Cruttwell styles it' one of the highest mountains in Germany.' It contains many deserts, bogs, and morasses; and abounds with trees, particularly pines, oaks, elms, and beeches. FICINUS (Marsilius), a modern philosopher and reviver of letters, was born in 1433 at Florence, where his father was physician to the Medici family. He was educated at Bologna; and persuaded his patron, Cosmo de Medici, to form an academy for the cultivation of the Platonic philosophy. He continued in favor under other princes of that house, and died, after taking orders, in 1499. He published a complete translation of Plato's writings into Latin. His own works were collected in 2 vols. folio, 1641. FICKLE, adj. Sax. Ficol; Goth. huckul; Beware of fraud, beware of ficklencss, In France amongst a fickle wavering nation. I am a soldier, and unapt to weep, Us to abolish; lest the adversary Shakspeare. Id. Triumph, and say, fickle their state, whom God Most favours! Milton's Paradise Lost. Neither her great worthiness, nor his own suffering for her, could fetter his fickleness; but, before his marriage-day, he had taken to wife that Baccha of whom she complained. Sidney. They know how fickle common lovers are ; Their oaths and vows are cautiously believed; For few there are but have been once deceived. Dryden. Instability of temper ought to be checked, when it disposes men to wander from one scheme of government to another, since such a fickleness cannot but be attended with fatal consequences. Addison. We in vain the fickle sex pursue, Do not now, Wantons on fickle pinion through the skies; But droop not: Fortune at your time of life, For any length of days in such a pickle. Byron. gives Carew. FICTION, n. s. Fr. fiction; Ital. fittiore; Sp. ficion; Lat. fictio. A feigned thing or story; the act of feigning or inventing: fictious, and fictitious, are fabulous; false; counterfeit; not real or genuine : fictive, feigned; imaginary. by a dragon, taken from the serpent, which tempted Time to those things-gave fictive ornament. These pieces are fictitiously set down, and have no If the presence of God in the image, by a mere fiction of the mind, be a sufficient ground to worship that image, is not God's real presence in every croature a far better ground to worship it? Stillingfleet. Fiction is of the essence of poetry, as well as of painting there is a resemblance in one of human bodies, things, and actions, which are not real; and in the other of a true story by a fiction. Draw him strictly so, That all who view the piece may know, Dryden. Id. He needs no trappings of fictitious fame. Another way to make a book unanswerable is to lay a stress on matters of fact foreign to the question as well as to truth, and to stuff it with scurrility and fiction. Locke. It is the part of a poet to humour the imagination in our own notions, by mending and perfecting nature where he describes a reality, and by adding greater beauties than are put together in nature, when he describes a fiction. Addison. Milton, sensible of this defect in the subject of las poem, brought into it two characters of a shadowy and fictitious nature in the persons of Sin and Death, by which means he has interwoven in his fable a very beautiful allegory. Addison's Spectator. With fancied rules and arbitrary laws Matter and motion man restrains, And studied lines and fictious circles draws. Prior. The human persons are as fictitious as the airy ones; and Belinda resembles you in nothing but in beauty. Pope. FICUS, the fig-tree, a genus of the triccia order, and polygamia class of plants: natural order fifty-third, scabridæ. The receptacle is common, turbinated, carnous, and connivent; enclosing the florets either in the same or in a distinct one: male CAL: tripartite : COR. none : STAM. three: female CAL: quinquepartite: coR. none: pistil one; and one seed. There are fifty-six species, of which the following are the most remarkable: F. carica, the common fig tree, with an upright stem branching fifteen or twenty feet high, and garnished with large palmated or hand-shaped leaves Of this there are many varieties; as, FICTILE, adj. Lat. fictilus. Moulded into The common fig tree, with large, oblong, dark form; manufactured by the potter. purplish blue fruit, which ripens in August either on standards or walls, and of which it carries a great quantity. The brown or chestnut fig; a large, globular, chestnut-colored fruit, having a purplish delicious pulp, ripening in July and The cause of fragility is an impotency to be extended; and therefore stone is more fragil than metal, and so fictile earth is more fragil than crude earth. Bacon's Natural History. August. The black Ischia fig; a middle sized, shortish, flat-crowned, blackish fruit, having a bright pulp; ripening in the middle of August. The green Ischia fig; a large, oblong, globularheaded, greenish fruit, slightly stained by the pulp to a reddish-brown color; ripens in the end of August. The brown Ischia fig; a small, pyramidal, brownish-yellow fruit, having a purplish very rich pulp; ripening in August and September. The Malta fig; a small flat-topped brown fruit, ripening in the middle of August or beginning of September. The round brown Naples fig; a globular, middle-sized, light brown fruit, and brownish pulp; ripe in the end of August. The long, brown, Naples fig; a long dark brown fruit, having a reddish pulp; ripe in September. The great blue fig; a large blue fruit, having a fine red pulp. The black Genoa fig; a large, pear-shaped, black-colored fruit, with a bright red pulp; ripe in August. The carica is frequently cultivated in this country, and is the only species which does not require to be kept in a stove. It may be propagated either by suckers arising from roots, by layers, or by cuttings. The suckers are to be taken off as low down as possible; trim off any ragged part at bottom, leaving the tops entire, especially if for standards; and plant them in nursery lines at two or three feet distance, or they may at once be planted where they are to remain; observing, that if they are designed for walls or espaliers, they may be headed to six or eight inches in March, the more effectually to force out lateral shoots near the bottom; but, if intended for standards, they must not be topped, but trained with a stern, not less than fifteen or eighteen inches for dwarf standards, a yard for half-standards, and four, five, or six feet for full standards. Then they must be suffered to branch out to form a head; observing, that, whether against walls, espaliers, or standards, the branches or shoots must never be shortened unless to procure a necessary supply of wood: for the fruit is always produced on the upper parts of the young shoots; and, if these are cut off, no fruit can be expected.The best season for propagating these trees by layers is in autumn; but it may be also done any time from October to March or April. Choose the young pliable lower shoots from the fruitful branches; lay them in the usual way, covering the body of the layers three or four inches deep in the ground, keeping the top entire, and as upright as possible; and they will be rooted and fit to separate from the parent in autumn; when they may be planted either in the nursery, or where they are to remain. The time for propagating by cuttings is either at the fall of the leaf, or in March: choose well ripened shoots of the preceding summer; short, and of robust growth, from about twelve to fifteen inches long; having an inch or two of the two years wood at their base, the tops left entire; and plant them six or eight inches deep, in a bed or border of good earth, in rows two feet asunder. When planted in autumn, it will be eligible to protect their tops in time of hard frost, the first winter, with any kind of long loose litter. For an account of the CAPRIFICATION of the fig tree, see that article. F. religiosa, the Banian tree, or Indian fig, is a native of several parts of the East Indies. It has a woody stem, branching to a great height and vast extent, with heart-shaped entire leaves ending in acute points. Of this tree Milton has given a description equally beautiful and just, in his Paradise Lost, b. ix. The Banian tree is perhaps the most beautiful of nature's productions in that genial climate, where she sports with the greatest profusion and variety. Some of these trees are of amazing size and great extent; as they are continually increasing, and seem to be exempted from decay. Every branch from the main body throws out its own roots; at first, in small tender fibres, several yards from the ground: these continually grow thicker until they reach the surface; and there striking in, they increase to large trunks, and become parent trees, shooting out new branches from the top: these in time suspend their roots, which, swelling into trunks, produce other branches; thus continuing in a state of progression as long as the earth, the first parent of them all, contributes her sustenance. The Hindoos are peculiarly fond of the Banian tree; they look upon it as an emblem of the deity, from its long duration, its outstretching arms, and overshadowing beneficence. Near these trees the most esteemed pagodas are generally erected; under their shade the Brahmins spend their lives in religious solitude; and the natives of all casts and tribes are fond of recreating in the cool recesses, beautiful walks, and lovely vistas of this umbrageous canopy, impervious to the hottest beams of a tropical sun. The largest known Banian tree grows on an island in the Nerbedda, ten miles from the city of Baroche in the province of Guzerat. It is distinguished by the name of Cubbeer Burr, which was given it in honor of a famous saint. It was once much larger, but high floods have carried away the banks of the island where it grows, and with them such parts of the tree as had thus far extended their roots: yet what remains is about 2000 feet in circumference, measured round the principal stems; the over-hanging branches, not yet struck down, over a much larger space. The chief trunks of this single tree (which in size greatly exceed our English elms and oaks), amount to 350; the smaller stems, forming into stronger supporters, are more than 3000; and every one of these is casting out new branches, and hanging roots, in time to form trunks, and become the parents of a future progeny. Cubbeer Burr is famed throughout Hindostan for its great extent and surprising beauty: armies have encamped around it; and, at stated seasons, solemn jatarras, or Hindoo festivals, are held here, to which thousands of votaries repair from various parts. It is said that 7000 persons find ample room to repose under its shade. The English gentlemen, on their hunting and shooting parties, used to form extensive encampments, and spend weeks together under this delightful pavilion, which is generally filled with green wood pigeons, doves, peacocks, and a variety of feathered songsters; crowded with families of monkeys performing their antic tricks; and shaded by bats of a large This tree not only affords shelter, but sustenance to all its inhabitants, being covered size. amidst its bright foliage with small figs of a rich scarlet color. F. sycamorus, the sycamore tree, is very common in Lower Egypt. It buds in the end of March, and the fruit ripens in the beginning of June. It is cut by the inhabitants at the time it buds; for without this precaution they say it would not bear fruit. The wood of the sycamore tree is not subject to rot; and has therefore been used for making coffins, in which embalmed bodies were put. Hasselquist affirms, that he saw in Egypt coffins made of this kind of wood, which had been preserved sound for 2000 years. FID, n. s. Ital. fitta. A pointed iron with which seamen untwist their cords.-Skinner. FIDS or FIDDS, are likewise used at sea to splice or fasten ropes together. There are also fids of wood, made tapering at one end, but much larger than the iron ones.----The pin in the heel of the topmast, which bears it upon the chess tree, is likewise called a fid. FIDDLE, n. s. & v. a.` Sax. Fidel; Goth. FIDDLER, n. s. fidla; Swed, fidla; FID'DLESTICK, Belg. vedel; Lat. fidiFID'DLESTRING. cula. A stringed musical instrument; a violin: to fiddle is to play upon this instrument; also to shift the hands often and do nothing like a fellow that plays upon a fiddle,' as Dr. Johnson says: the fiddlestick is otherwise called the bow, and the fiddlestring a portion of the stringed part of this in strument. A fiddlestring, moistened with water, will sink a note in a little time, and consequently must be relaxed or lengthened one-sixteenth. Id. Others import yet nobler arts from France, Teach kings to fiddle, and make senates dance. Pope. tocles and his company; one man can fiddle, and another man can make a small town a great city; and he that cannot do either one or the other, deserves to be kicked out of the creation. Swift. All human actions seem to be divided like Themis I do not call him a poet that writes for his own diversion, any more than that gentleman a fiddler who amuses himself with a violin. Id. FIDELITY, n.s. Fr. fidelité; Lat. fidelitas, Ital. fedelita; Span. fidelidud, faithfulness. Honesty; veracity. The church, by her publick reading of the book of God, preached only as a witness; now the principal thing required in a witness is fidelity. Hooker. He, that after the misuse of the one talent, would not trust the evil servant with a second, because he saw a wilful neglect; will trust Moses with his second law, because he saw fidelity in the worst error of his zeal. Bp. Hall's Contemplations. They mistake credulity for fidelity. Clarke. Having taken leave of my friends, and interchanged promises of fidelity with Miss Read, I quitted Philadelphia. Franklin. As good subjects of God's kingdom, we are bound to pay a due regard and reverence to his ministers; especially if they discover an uncorrupted fidelity to Mason. his cause. But nothing unpleasant, or sad, or severe, Or that indicates life in its winter-is here. Yet all is expressed with fidelity due, Nor a pimple or freckle concealed from the view. Cowper. FIDES, Faith or Fidelity, one of the virtues deified by the Romans, had a temple near the capitol, founded by Numa Pompilius; but no animals were offered, or blood spilt, in her sacrifices. During the performance of her rites, her priests appeared in white vestments, with their heads and hands covered with linen, to show that fidelity ought to be sacred. The greatest oaths were taken in her name. Horace clothes her in white, places her in the retinue of Fortune, and makes her the sister of Justice, Od. 24, 35, l. i. Public faith is represented on a great number of ancient medals; sometimes with a basket of fruit in one hand, and some ears of corn in the other; and sometimes holding a turtle dove. But the most usual symbol is two hands joined together. The inscriptions are generally, Fides Augusti, Fides exercitus, or Fides militum, &c. FIDGE, or FIDGET, v. n. & n. s. Goth, fika, feyka; Dan. fikke (to move briskly). To move in a hurried restless manner: restless agitation. Why what can the viscountess mean? Gray. Cried the square hoods in woful fidget. Tim, thou'rt the Punch to stir up trouble; You wriggle, fidge, and make a rout, Put all your brother puppets out. Swift. But sedentary weavers of long tales, Hammond's Practical Catechism. The second obstructive is that of the fiduciary, that faith is the only instrument of his justification; and excludes good works from contributing any thing toward it. Hammond. among whom the customs and laws relating to fiefs seem very early to have made rapid advances. See Giannone, History of Naples. They were introduced into Spain before the invasion of the Moors, A. D. 710. Lands were granted for service and attachment among the Goths; among whom also the person who received the gift was the retainer of him who granted it. If he refused his service, the grant was forfeited, and he was said to receive it in patrocinio: he also swore fealty to his lord; and on this footing the national militia was regulated. Leg. Wisigoth, lib. v. tit. 7. There can be little doubt that the feudal law was known in England in the Saxon times. See Whitaker's History of Manchester. In Scotland the history of fiefs is more uncertain; which has been ascribed partly to the mutilated state of the Scottish records, and partly to the want of able antiquaries in the nation. But Dr. Stuart, in Observations on the Law and Constitution of Scotland, insists, that allodiality and feudality have existed ever since the foundation of the Scottish monarchy. It has inCowper. deed been supposed, that these customs were FIDUCIAL, adj. Lat. fiducia. Con- introduced from some foreign model by Malcolm FIDUCIARY, n. s. & adj. (fident; undoubting. II. Some say they were introduced directly Faith is cordial, and such as God will accept of, from England; and the policy of Malcolm in when it affords fiducial reliance on the promises, and establishing them has been highly extolled: but, obediential submission to the commands. according to our author, there is no foundation for this notion. Both these opinions either asgert or imply, that the feudal maxims were introduced into this country upon the principle of imitation: but it is very improbable that they could be imported from one people to another, on account of their excessive contrariety to the common usages and precepts of government among mankind. It must undoubtedly have been very absurd, if not altogether impracticable, to transplant the feudal tenures when the grants of land were precarious, or depending entirely on the will of the prince, to a country which had never known superiority or vassalage. would have required an alteration of all the orders of society from the king to the peasant; while the whole chain of customs, as well as the jurisdiction of the kingdom, both high and low, must have sustained a corresponding alteration, to conform them to the new system. It is likewise obvious, that no conquest could be made on had already received the knowledge of fiefs. purpose to obtain a settlement by any nation who The establishment of them implied, that the people had already a fixed and settled residence; and accordingly history does not furnish us with any account of a nation among whom fiefs were known, who ever migrated from the country they already possessed, to seek for one in which they might settle. Feudal institutions must have originated wherever they have been observed to flourish. Scotland was formerly a feudal kingdom, and we know pretty nearly the time when the fiefs were hereditary in it; but in that form they could not be introduced by the sovereign; and there was no nation among whom fiefs were already known, who conquered, or made an establishment by conquest, in Scotland. Fiefs therefore must have gradually advanced to such a state of perfection. The progress they made may be likewise pointed out. At first they were Elaiana can rely no where upon mere love and fiduciary obedience, unless at her own home, where she is exemplarily loyal to herself in a high exact obedience. Howel. That faith, which is required of us, is then perfect, when it produces in us a fiduciary assent to whatever the Gospel has revealed. Wake. FIEF, n. s. Fr. fief. A fee: a manor; a possession held by some tenure of a superior. See FEOFF. To the next realm she stretched her sway, A plenteous province and alluring prey; And the whole fief, in right of poetry, she claimed. As they were honoured by great privileges, so their lands were in the nature of fiefs, for which the posseasors were obliged to do personal service at sea. Arbuthnot on Coins. Towards the end of the thirteenth century, this monarch (Edward I. of England) called in question the independence of Scotland; pretending that the kingdom was held as a fief of the crown of England, and subjected to all the conditions of a feudal tenure. Robertson's History of Scotland. FIEF. See FEE, FEOD, and FEUDAL SYSTEM. It has been an object of enquiry among the learned, in what nation of barbarians fiefs had their origin? It is probable, that they took place in the different nations of Europe, nearly about the same time, on the same principles, and were continued by similarity of manners, conquests, c.; so that we cannot ascribe the prevalence of them to imitation. In France, we find fiefs men tioned as early as the age of Childebert I. They were introduced into Italy by the Lombards; This |