FARNABIE, THOMAS, son of a carpenter at London, born in 1575, staid a short while at Oxford; where being enticed to abandon his religion, he went to Spain, and was there educated in a college belonging to the Jesuits. Being weary of their severe discipline, he went with Sir John Hawkins and Sir Francis Drake in their last voyage in 1595. He was afterwards a soldier in the Low Countries: but being reduced
Farnabie
Farnabians. Bainrafe, the anagram of his name, he settled at Mat-
tock in Somersetshire, and taught a grammar-school
with good reputation. He removed to London, and
opened a school with large accommodations for young
gentlemen. While he taught this school, he was made
master of arts at Cambridge, and incorporated into the
university of Oxford. Thence he removed, in 1636,
to Seven-oaks in Kent; and taught the sons of several
noblemen and gentlemen, who boarded with him, with
great success, and grew rich. His works gained him
reputation. Upon the breaking out of the civil com-
mutations in 1641, he was cast into prison. It was
debated in the house of commons, whether he should
be sent to America; but this motion being rejected, he
was removed to Ely-house in Holborn, and there he
died in 1647. Mr Farnabie was a very eminent gram-
marian; and many writers have spoken with great
approbation of his labours. Mr Bayle in particular
says, "His notes upon most of the ancient Latin
poets have been of very great use to young beginners;
being short, learned, and designed chiefly to clear up
the text."