s the finest way of giving counsel, and most universally pleasing, because least shocking; for, in the reading of a fable, a man thinks he is directing himself, whilst he is following the dictates of another, and consequently is not sensible of that which is the most unpleasing circumstance in advice. Besides, the mind is never so much pleased as when she exerts herself in any action that gives her an idea of her own abilities; this natural pride of the soul is very much gratified in the reading of fable.

Fable is also used for the plot of an epic or dramatic poem; and is, according to Aristotle, the principal part, and, as it were, the soul of the poem.

**Fabri** (Honorius), a laborious Jesuit born in the diocese of Bellay, distinguished himself by his skill in philosophy and the mathematics, and by writing a great number of books. The most curious of which treat of geometry, optics, the loadstone, the motion of the earth, the ebbing and flowing of the sea, &c. He died at Rome, in 1688.

**Fabric**, in general, denotes the structure or construction of any thing; but particularly of buildings, as a church, hall, house, &c. See Architecture.

**Fabric-Lands**, those formerly given towards rebuilding or repairing of cathedrals and other churches; for anciently almost everybody gave more or less, by his will, to the fabric of the parish-church where he dwelt.

**Fabricius**, the celebrated Roman consul and general; not less memorable for his incorruptible integrity, in rejecting immense bribes proffered to induce him to betray or quit the service of his country. Neither would he give bribes to take off his enemy by base means. See *(History of) Rome*.

**Fabricius** (George), a learned German, born at Chemnitz in Misnia, in 1516. After a liberal education, he visited Italy in quality of a tutor to a young nobleman; and, examining all the remains of antiquity with great accuracy, compared them with their descriptions in Latin writers. The result of these observations was his work intitled *Roma*, containing a description of that city. He afterwards settled at Misenum, where he conducted a great school to the time of his death in 1571. He was also the author of a great number of sacred Latin poems, wrote seven books of the *Annals of Misnia*, three of the *Annals of Meissen*, and *Travels*.

**Fabricius** (Jerom), a celebrated physician in the latter end of the 16th century (surnamed *Aquapendente*, from the place of his birth) was the disciple and successor of Fallopius. He chiefly applied himself to surgery and anatomy, which he professed at Padua for forty years with extraordinary reputation. The republic of Venice settled a large pension upon him, and honoured him with a gold chain and a statue. He died in 1603; leaving behind him several works which are much esteemed.

**Fabricius** (John Albert), one of the most learned and laborious men of his age, was born at Leipsic in 1668. He was chosen professor of eloquence at Hamburg in 1699, and was made doctor of divinity at Kiel. His works are numerous; and he died at Hamburg in 1736, after a life spent in the severest literary application to collect and publish valuable remains of ancient learning.

**Fabricius** (Vincent), born at Hamburg in 1613, was a good poet, a great orator, an able physician, and a learned civilian. He was for some time counselor to the bishop of Lubeck, and afterward burgomaster and syndic of the city of Dantzig; from whence he was 13 times sent deputy into Poland, where he died at Warsaw in 1657, during the diet of that kingdom. The most complete edition of Fabricius's poems and other works was published at Leipsic in 1685, under the direction of his son Frederic Fabricius.

**Fabricius** (Baron), one of the finest gentlemen of his time, and known to the public by his letters relating to the transactions of Charles XII of Sweden during his residence in the Ottoman empire, was descended from a good family in Germany. He was taken early into the service of the Court of Holstein; and was sent in a public character to the king of Sweden whilst he was at Bender; where he soon acquired the good graces of that prince. He accompanied him in his exercises; gave him a turn for reading; and it was out of his hand Charles snatched Boileau's satires, when he tore out those that represented Alexander the Great as a madman. Fabricius was also in favour with Stanislaus, and with our king George I. whom he accompanied in his last journey to Hanover, and was with him when he died. A translation of his letters