JOHN BAPTIST D., a celebrated author and member of the French academy, was born at Beauvais in 1670, and finished his studies at the Sorbonne. In 1695 he was named one of the committee for foreign affairs under M. Torez; and he was afterwards charged with some important transactions in England, Germany, Holland, and Italy. On his return to Paris he met with rapid preferment, having been made an abbe, and chosen perpetual secretary of the French academy. He was the author of several excellent works, the principal of which are, 1. Critical Reflections upon Poetry and Painting, 3 vols. 12mo; 2. The History of the four Gordians, confirmed and illustrated by medals; and 3. A critical History of the establishment of the French Monarchy among the Gauls, 2 vols. 4to, and 4 vols. 12mo. He died at Paris on the 23d of March 1742.