Farne

or Ferne Isles, The , also called the Staples, a group of 17 isles 2 m. off the NE. coast of North umber land, many of which are mere rocks visible only at low-water; are marked by two lighthouses, and are a ociated with a heroic rescue by Grace Darling ( q. v .) in 1838; on House Isle are the ruins of a Benedictine priory; about 50 people have their homes upon the larger isles.