Labat, John Baptist

, a celebrated traveller of the order of St. Dominic, was born in 1663 at Paris, and taught philosophy at Nancy. In 1693, he went to America in quality of missionary; and, at his return to France, in 1705, was sent to Bologna, to give an account of his mission to a chapter of the Dominicans. He continued several years’ in Italy; but, at length returning home, died at Paris Jan. 6, 1738. His principal works are, 1. “Nouveau Voyage aux Isles de l'Amerique,” 6 vols. 8vo, a very pleasant and instructive work in many respects, but not always accurate as to facts. 2. “Voyages en Espagne & en Italie,” 3 vols. 12mo. 3. “Nouvelle Relation de I'Afrique Occidentale,” 5 vols. 12mo. As Labat was never in Africa, this work is compiled from the relation of others. He also published, 4. “Voyage du Chevalier des Merchais en Guinee,” 4 vols. 12mo. 5. “La Relation historique de i'Ethiopie Occidentale,” translated from the Latin of father Cavazzi, a capuchin, 4 vols, in 12mo; and 6. “Les Memoires du Chev. d'Arvieux,” containing his travels to Constantinople, Asia, &c. 6 vols. 12mo, in which he is entitled to 'the credit of a very judicious editor. ²