DANIEL, LE PERE GABRIEL, a Jesuit, born at Rouen iu 1619, wrote the history of France from the commeucemout of the monarchy, 3 vols. fol., 1713, which he dedicated to Louis XIV., who made him historiographer of the kingdom, sith a pension of 2000 francs. The most valuable part of his history is that which relates to the reigns previous to Louie XI., and he Is more correct with regard to facts thau Mdzeral. But the work altogether is very Imperfect : the author says little concerning the state of society : it is a history of the kings rather than of the people. lie enters very largely into religious centre, versies, and is very intolerant towards those whom he considers heterodox. His style is feeble and uninteresting. The best edition of the history is that in 17 vela. 4to, Paris, 1755-60, with considerable additions by Father Griffet. The other works of Pere Daniel are ;— 1, 'Observations critiques Bur l'Histoire de France &rite par Mdzerai? in which he endeavours to throw discredit on the rival historian, who, although often inexact, is upon the whole more liberal-minded than Dania!, for which reason he lost his pension. [Cotneer.]. Both their
histories however were superseded by the better one of Velly and Villaret, 1759 ; 2, • ilietoire de la Milice Franertise; exhibiting the changes that had taken place in the French military establishment, and system of discipline and tactics from the beginning of the monarchy to the reign of Louis XIV.; 3, ' Le Voyage au monde de Descartes,' a kind of satire of the system of that philosopher; and several other minor works, among which the ' Entretiens de Cleandre et d'Eudoxe? are intended as a refutation of the Provincial& of PascaL Pere Denial died in June 1728.