Frankfurt
an important city of western Prussia. It is situated on the Main, about twenty miles from the Rhine. From its situation, it is known as Frankfurt-on-the-Main. It is the capital of a district of the same name. Like other medieval cities, it was once surrounded by massive stone walls, now removed to make place for promenades and public gardens. There are many public squares adorned with monuments. Gutenberg, the printer, Goethe and Schiller, the poets, have been remembered. There are many buildings of historical interest, including the cathedral and the imperial palace where the emperors were elected. Numerous museums, the town library, the art institution, and the zoological garden are of interest. The city dates from the time of Charlemagne. It was for centuries an imperial city authorized to hold an autumn fair. Its horse and leather fairs are still of importance. It early became an important commercial city and was for a long time the financial center of Europe. The Rothschild family rose to fame in Frankfurt. When we know that during the nineteenth century this firm of Jewish bankers placed loans for the various governments of the world to the amount of not less than $12,960,000,000, and remember that their parent office has been maintained at Frankfurt we can realize the importance of this city to the financial world. Population, 335,000. See Goethe ; Rothschild
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Franking
the privilege of sending postal matter free of charge. Up to 1830 this privilege was enjoyed by senators, congressmen, and the various departments of public service . It was then abolished for a time, being replaced by a system of allowance for postage, but was again restored. Public documents and seeds may now be sent out by the various departments and by senators and congressmen. The franking custom was inherited by this country from Great Britain , where the members of Parliament long enjoyed the privilege. Congress has been wont to grant the privilege as a courtesy to the widows of ex-presidents. See Postoffice
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Franklin College
a coeducational institution in Franklin, Ind., founded in 1834 under the auspices of the Baptist Church; reported at the close of 1919: Professors and instructors, 16; students, 259; president, C. E. Goodell, A. M.
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Franklin Institute
THE, of the State of Pennsylvania for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts, an institution established in Philadelphia in 1824, for the dissemination of knowledge of the arts and sciences. It combines many features of the mechanical institutes and of the scientific societies. The work of the institution is carried on by means of lectures, reports, libraries, exhibitions, and instruction. Publication of a journal was begun in 1826 and has continued without interruption. The library contains about 75,000 volumes. A school of mechanical and architectural drawing is conducted and there are also night schools in machine design and naval architecture. There are also schools for the instruction of English and ancient and modern languages. The institute is open to all persons of legal age on payment of dues.
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Franks
the name of a confederation which was formed about A. D. 240, by the tribes dwelling on the banks of the Lower Rhine and the Weser, who united under the title of Franks or free men. They invaded Gaul in 256, and for 12 years ravaged that country and Spain, extending their incursions as far as the opposite continent of Africa. Probus drove them back into their native marshes in 277; but their influence gradually increased, and after the death of Constantine I., in 337, they constituted a powerful faction at the imperial court. In 355 they again invaded Gaul, and were defeated by Julian, who permitted them to establish a colony in Brabant or Taxandria. In 418 they again invaded Gaul, where, under their leader Pharamond, they founded the modern kingdom of FRANCE (q. v.).
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Franz
ROBERT, a German musician; born in Halle, Prussia, June 28, 1815. He was famous for his songs, which were of a peculiar lyric beauty. His first published composition appeared in 1843. The latter years of his life were spent in editing the works of Bach, Handel, etc. He died in Halle, Oct. 24, 1892.
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Fraternal Organizations
associations for good fellowship and helpfulness. The enrollment of members in the different orders for the United States and Canada, according to the World's Almanac for 1909, was: Odd Fellows 1,396,319 Freemasons 1,288,562 Modern Woodmen of America 1,059,221 Knights of Pythias 698,536 Independent Order of Rechabites 491,000 Woodmen of the World 529,023 Improved Order of Red Men 471,661 Knights of the Maccabees 285,841 Royal Arcanum 240,850 Ancient Order of United Workmen 219,729 Independent Order of Foresters 260,000 Order of Eagles 311,159 Foresters of America 235,441 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 284,321 Ancient Order of Hibernians 217,000 Knights of Columbus 210,078 Junior Order of Unit. Amer. Mechanics 194,741 Ladies of the Maccabees 156,609 Knights of the Modern Maccabees 112,846 Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Association 102,129 Tribe of Ben Hur 100,315 Knights and Ladies of Honor 96,000 Improved Order of Heptasophs 77,389 Knights of the Golden Eagle 71,960 National Union 62,000 Brotherhood of American Yeomen 61,671 Protected Home Circle 65,273 Catholic Mutual Benefit Association 59,442 Order of Gleaners 56,000 Court of Honor 65,000 Brith Abraham Order 61,389 New England Order of Protection 54,119 Knights of Honor 40,126 Ancient Order of Foresters 40,992 United Order of American Mechanics 36,554 Sons of Temperance 34,879 Independent Order of B'nai B'rith 30,283 Knights of Malta 30,000 Smaller organizations 536,642 Total. . . . . . . 10,175,976
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Fratricellians
originally a name lines, and the British attack was launched on both sides of the village. Gradually the Germans were nipped out of this strategic point and the village was taken on the following day by the British. HENRY C. FRICK
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Fraud
in law, all deceitful practices in defrauding or endeavoring to defraud another of his known right, by means of some artful device, contrary to the plain rules of common honesty. It is condemned by the common law, and punishable according to the heinousness of the offense. All frauds and deceits for which there is no remedy by the ordinary course of law are properly cognizable in equity, and, indeed, constitute one of the chief branches of cases to which the jurisdiction of chancery was originally confined. Pious Fraud.-In Church history, a fraud considered to be "pious" because it was planned and carried out for some pious object. From the 1st to the 15th century believers in such frauds existed. Statute of Frauds. In English law, a statute passed in 1676. Among its complex provisions several enacted that important contracts about land, etc., should be in writing, so as to prevent the perjury which occurred when they had to be proved by parole evidence. This statute has been re-enacted in most of the States of the American Union generally with omissions, amendments, or alterations. When the words of the statute have been used, the construction put upon them has also been adopted. United
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