BLACKWALL, ANTHONY, A. M. a learned
author, after completing his academical education at
Emanuel college, Cambridge, was appointed head mas-
ter of the free school at Derby, and lecturer of All-
hallows there, where he first distinguished himself in
the literary world by an edition of Theognis, printed
at London in 1706, and was afterwards head master
of the free school at Market-Bosworth in Leicester-
shire. The grammar whereby he initiated the youth
under his care into Latin, was of his own composing,
and so happily fitted for the purpose, that he was pre-
vailed on to make it public, though his modesty would
not permit him to fix his name to it, because he would
not be thought to prescribe to other instructors of
youth. It is entitled, "A New Latin Grammar;
being a short, clear, and easy introduction of young
Scholars to the Knowledge of the Latin Tongue; con-
taining an exact Account of the two first Parts of Gram-
mar." In his "Introduction to the Classics," first
published in 1718, 12mo, he displayed the beauties
of those admirable writers of antiquity, to the under-
standing and imitation even of common capacities;
and that in so concise and clear a manner, as seemed
peculiar to himself. But his greatest and most cele-
brated work was, "The sacred Classics defended and
illustrated; or, An Essay humbly offered towards pre-
serving the Purity, Propriety, and True Eloquence of Blackwell
the Writers of the New Testament," in 2 vols. Mr
Blackwall had the felicity to bring up many excellent
scholars in his seminaries at Derby and Bosworth; a-
mong others, the celebrated Richard Dawes, author
of the Miscellanea Critica. A gentleman who had been his
scholar, being patron of the church of Clapham in Sur-
rey, presented him to that living as a mark of his gra-
titude and esteem. This happening late in life, and
Blackwall having occasion to wait upon the bishop of
the diocese, he was somewhat pertly questioned by a
young chaplain as to the extent of his learning. "Boy
(replied the indignant veteran), I have forgot more
than ever you knew!" He died at Market-Bosworth,
April 8. 1730.