the highest order, and his published works were numerous. He is said to have been the originator of those pieces called "nocturnes." 39 250
Finaghty, James, an Irish astrologer and exorcist, flourished the end of the 17th century. He acquired a wonderful reputation for curing diseases by passes and incantations, and was followed at times by vast crowds, so that persons were trodden to death in their eagerness to approach him. His deceptions were eventually unmasked by the efforts of Sir William Petty, and he sank into obscurity, 115(4)
Finan, Saint, born in Ireland, was in 651 appointed successor of St, Aidan as Bishop of Lindisfarne, an island off the eastern coast of Northumbria. He appears to have been educated at Iona. In his efforts for the conversion of the surrounding peoples, he was ably assisted by King Oswin, and he is specially noticed by the Venerable Bede as having borne an important part in the conversion of the northern Saxons, In the differences concerning the time for holding Easter, he held to the precedents of the Western Church. He died towards the close of the 7th century, and his festival is generally celebrated upon the 9th January, 192
Findley, William, a politician, was born in the north of Ireland, about 1750. He went to America in early life, served in the Revolutionary war, and at its close moved to Western Pennsylvania. A fluent speaker, he before long became a noted politician, entered the legislature, was a member of the State Constitution Convention, and was afterwards a member of Congress for more than one term. He opposed the adoption of the United States Constitution, and was a supporter of Jefferson. He published a Review of the Funding System in 1794, a History of the Insurrection in Western Pennsylvania in 1796, and Observations, in which he vindicated religious liberty. He died in Unity Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 5th April 1821. 37*
Finen, or Finnian, Saint, Bishop of Clonard, was a native of Leinster, born the end of the 5th century. He was educated under Bishop Fortchern at Roscor, and when thirty years of age travelled in Britain, and became acquainted with British saints and missionaries. Finen ultimately returned with several ecclesiastics, and landing at Carn, in the County of Wexford, settled at Clonard, on the Boyne, about 530, and founded there the renowned school with which his name has since been associated. Among his pupils were Ciaran and St. Columcille, We are told that "his
usual food was bread and herbs; his drink water. On festival days he used to indulge himself with a little fish and a cup of beer or whey. He slept on the bare ground, and a stone served him as a pillow." He died at Clonard in 552. He is the patron saint of the diocese of Meath, and his effigy is on the seal of the clergy. His festival is the 12th December. The Martyrology of Donegal styles him "a doctor of wisdom, and tutor of the saints of Ireland in his time." 119 234
Finley, Samuel, D.D., a scholar and Presbyterian divine, was born in Armagh in 1715. He arrived in Philadelphia in September 1734, and was licensed to preach in 1740. He was ordained at New Brunswick in October 1742, and at once occupied himself in itinerant labours during the great revival of the day. Preaching in New Haven, contrary to a law of the colony forbidding unauthorized itinerant ministry, he was seized by the authorities, and carried as a vagrant beyond its limits. From 1744 to 1761 he was settled at Nottingham, Pennsylvania, and conducted an academy which acquired a high reputation. He was for some time principal of Princeton College — succeeding President Davies, whose sermons he edited. He was the author of some sermons and dissertations, Mr. Finley died in Philadelphia, 17th July 1766, aged about 51. 37*
Finn MacCumhaill was a distinguished chief who flourished in the 3rd century. He was son-in-law to King Cormac, being married in succession to his daughters Graine and Ailbe, Innumerable stories are related of him — in Irish legend as "Finmacool," and in Scottish as Fingal. He was commander of the Fenian militia, a body of several thousand warriors maintained by the Irish monarchs of that age. In peace they are said to have numbered 9,000, in war, 21,000. In winter they lived in small parties on the inhabitants of the country, while in summer they maintained themselves by hunting and fishing. When Finn was on the point of being married to his first wife, Graine, she eloped with his friend Diarmaid. The wanderings of the lovers and Finn's pursuit was one of the most fruitful themes of Fenian romance. Diarmaid eventually met his death from the thrust of a wild boar on Benbulben, in the County of Sligo, Finn's arrival on the scene before his rival's death, forms the subject of one of the most beautiful of Ferguson's Lays of the Western Gael. In addition to his warlike accomplishments, Finn is reported to have possessed the gifts of poetry, second sight, and healing. His principal residence was on
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