Gabriel Henri Gaillard, a French historian, born at Ostel, near Soissons, March 26, 1720, died at St. Firmin, near Chantilly, Feb. 13, 1800. He studied law, but devoted himself to literature, and was the lifelong intimate friend of Malesherbes. He spent the latter part of his life in the utmost seclusion, living in the most frugal manner. His principal works are histories of Francis I. (8 vols.), of Charlemagne (4 vols.), of the rivalry between France and England (11 vols.), and between France and Spain (8 vols.); Dictionnaire Ms-torique (6 vols., 1791), in the Encyclopedic moderne; and Melanges litteraires (4 vols., 1856-7). Several of his works passed through new editions. Though his arrangement of historical events is loose and his style rather stilted, he is regarded as a conscientious and painstaking historian.