GAFFAREL (James), a French divine, and very learned writer, born about 1601. He acquired great skill in the oriental and several other languages; and was particularly versant in the cabballistic and occult sciences, which he learnedly exposed and refuted. Cardinal Richieu made choice of him for his library-keeper, and sent him into Italy to collect the best manuscripts and books. He published a book, intitled Curiositez Innoues, i. e. Unheard-of Curiosities. It is said the cardinal designed to employ him in his grand project for the re-union of religions. He died in 1681, aged 80. He had been labouring for many years, and had almost finished, a history of the subterranean world; containing an account of the caves, grottoes, vaults, catacombs, and mines, he had met with in 30 years travels.