Chapter Father Mathew to Fear Fortress of F by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

is a little village in France, built on an eminence so steep that there is no getting to it except by a very zigzag path.

"They go in to Paradise ... as the way is to Faye." - Rabelais: Gargantua and Pantagruel, book i. 27.

Fazio A native of Florence, who first tried to make his fortune by alchemy; but being present when Bartoldo, and old miser, died, he buried the body secretly, and stole his money-bags. Being now rich, he became acquainted with the Marchioness Aldabella, with whom he passed his time in licentious pleasure. His wife Bianca, out of jealousy, accused him to the duke of being privy to the death of Bartoldo; and Fazio was condemned to death for murder. Bianca now tried to undo the mischief she had done, but it was too late; she went mad with grief, and died of a broken heart. (Dean Milman: Fazio.)

Fear Fortress An hypothetical castle in a forest near Saragossa. It represents that terrible obstacle which fear conjures up, but which vanishes into thin air as it is approached by a stout heart and clear conscience. The allegory forms the third part of the legend of Croquemitaine.

"If a child disappeared, or any cattle were carried off, the trembling peasants said, `The lord of Fear- fortress has taken them.' If a fire broke out anywhere, it was the lord of Fear-fortress who must have lit it. The origin of all accidents, mishaps, and disasters was traced to the mysterious owner of this invisible castle."- Croquemitaine, iii. 1.

"It sunk before my earnest face,
It vanished quite away,
And left no shadow on the place,
Between me and the day.
Such castles rise to strike us dumb;
But, weak in every part,
They melt before the strong man's eyes
And fly the true of heart."
C. Mackay: The Giant (slightly altered).