HALDE (John Baptist du), a learned French Jesuit born at Paris in 1674. He was extremely well versed in Asiatic geography; and we have of his compilation a work intitled Grand description de la Chine & de la Tartarie, from original memoirs of the Jesuitical missionaries, in 4 vols, folio. He was also concerned in a collection of letters begun by father Gobien, called Des lettres edifiantes, in 18 vols; and published some Latin poems and orations. He died in 1743.