This title has been bestowed upon several patriots in ancient and modern history, among others Cosmo de’ Medici of Florence (1389-1464), Andrea Doria, the Genoese Admiral (1468-1560), and George Washington (1732-1799). Father of his People. A title bestowed on Louis XII of France (1498-1515), and on Christian III of Denmark (1533-1559). Featherheads. _See_ Half-breeds. Federal Council of the Australian Colonies. A Council formed in accordance with the provisions of the Imperial Federation Enabling Act of 1855, by delegates from Victoria, Queensland, South and Western Australia, and Tasmania, which met at Hobart in January, 1886, under the presidency of James Service. The non-adhesion of New South Wales, however, was fatal to the scheme. Federal Pact. A Swiss Constitution, evolved by the “Long Diet” of Zurich, and approved by the Powers at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Federalistas. The party in Mexico who favour a large measure of autonomy in the separate states, and oppose excessive centralization of authority in the central government. Federalists. A party, in the early days of American independence, who favoured the concentration of power in the hands of the central government, while their opponents, known as Anti-federalists, and later as Democrats, were supporters of the rights of individual states. Fédérés. A band of young Marseillais, who, under the leadership of Barbaroux, marched to Paris in 1792 to aid the Revolution. Fehden. In mediaeval Germany, the private wars between the semi-independent barons and knights were known by this name. Fellaheen. The peasants of Egypt. The word signifies “tillers.” Fenian Association. An Irish revolutionary society, established about 1858. During the American Civil War, it became an organized institution, with headquarters in New York, with the avowed object of fomenting disturbances in Ireland, and making the Government of that country by England impossible. Its leader was James Stephens. In 1866 the Fenians attempted a raid into Canada, which was entirely unsuccessful. In 1867 a general rising in Ireland was planned, which also failed. Two further unsuccessful attempts upon Canada took place in 1870 and 1871, from which point its activity was confined to a few isolated outrages of small importance. The name Fenian is taken from the old Irish Militia, which was known as Fionna Eirinn. Feormfultum. In Anglo-Saxon times a tax levied on the land for the support of the royal household. It was paid in kind. Ferdinand, Treaty of. _See_ Christian Alliance. Ferm. In Anglo-Saxon and early feudal times, a rent paid by the shires on public lands and royal domains. Fermiers Généraux. Persons, generally royal favourites, who obtained the right of collecting the taxes, by payment of a fixed sum. This system was initiated in France in 1546 by Francis I, who farmed out the Gabelle, and continued until the Revolution. Feudal System.