PETER DANIEL, a very learned French writer, born at Caen in Normandy, on the 8th of February 1630. He discovered, from his infancy, a great inclination to the study of polite literature and the sciences, and at first applied himself to the law; but Des Cartes's principles, and Bochart's sacred geography, made him change his studies for those of philosophy, mathematics, the languages, and antiquities. His admiration for Bochart made him desirous of knowing him. He contracted a very strict friendship with him, and accompanied that learned man to Sweden. Here Christina would have engaged him in her service; but he, sensible of her inconstant temper, returned to France. All he brought with him was a copy of a MS. of Origen, which he transcribed at Stockholm. He refused several offers from Christina after she abdicated and went to Rome, and from Gustavus her successor. In 1670, Mr Boffuet being appointed by the king preceptor to the dauphin, his majesty chose Mr Huet for his colleague, with the title of sub-preceptor to the prince. It was he that formed the plan of the commentaries in usuum Delphini, and directed the execution. His sentiments of piety determined him to enter into holy orders, which he did at the age of 46. Soon after this, he was presented by the king to the abbey of Aunay; and in 1685 was nominated to the bishopric of Soissons, which he changed for the see of Avranches. After governing that diocese ten years, he resigned, and was made abbot of Fontenay near Caen. His love to his native place determined him to fix there. But lawsuits coming upon him, he retired to Paris, and lodged among the Jesuits in the Majon Professe, whom he had made heirs to his library. A feverish distemper weakened his body extremely, but not the vivacity of his genius: he wrote his own life in a very elegant style; and died in 1721, aged 91. He was a man of very agreeable conversation; and of great probity, as well as immense erudition.—The following are the titles of his principal works. 1. De claris interpretibus, et de optimo genere interpretandi. 2. An edition of Origen's Commentaries on the Holy Scriptures, in Greek and Latin. 3. A Treatise on the Origin of the Romans. 4. Demonstration evangelica, folio. 5. Questiones Alatianae de concordia rationis et fidei. 6. Of the Situation of the terrestrial Paradise, in French. 7. A History of the Commerce and Navigation of the Ancients, which has been translated into English. 8. Commentarius de rebus ad eum pertinentibus. 9. Hueliana. 10. Latin and Greek verses, &c.