_Encaustic Tiles from Caen._--In the town of Caen, in Normandy, is an
ancient Gothic building standing in the grounds of the ancient convent of
the Benedictines, now used as a college. This building, which is commonly
known as the "Salle des Gardes de Guillaume le Conquerant," was many years
ago paved with glazed emblazoned earthenware tiles, which were of the
dimensions of about five inches square, and one and a quarter thick; the
subjects of them are said to be the arms of some of the chiefs who
accompanied William the Conqueror to England. Some antiquaries said these
tiles were of the age of William I.; others that they could only date from
Edward III. I find it stated in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for March, 1789,
vol. lix. p. 211., that twenty of the tiles above spoken of were taken up
by the Benedictine monks, and sent as a present to Charles Chadwick, Esq.,
Healey Hall, Lancashire, in 1786. The rest of the tiles were destroyed by
the revolutionists, with the exception of some which were fortunately saved
by the Abbe de la Rue and M. P. A. Lair, of Caen. What I wish to inquire
is, firstly, who was Charles Chadwick, Esq.? and secondly, supposing that
he is no longer living, which I think from the lapse of time will be most
probable, does any one know what became of the tiles which he had received
from France in 1786?