A great many of your readers are doubtless aware that there are in
France a number of towns commonly known by the name of _Villes
Anglaises_, or the English towns, and also called _Bastides_. Many of
these were certainly founded by Edward I., and important privileges were
granted to these _Free Towns_ from motives of sound policy. These towns
are all built on a regular plan, the principal streets wide, open, and
straight, and crossing each other at right angles, with a large
market-place, usually in the centre of the town. I have seen several of
these towns, which preserve their original ground plan to the present
time. I could mention other peculiarities about them; but it is not
necessary for my purpose, which is to inquire whether we have any towns
in England corresponding with them, of the same regular plan and
arrangement. The only one I have been able to hear of is the ruined town
of Winchelsea, which corresponds closely with them, and was also founded
by Edward I. If any of your readers can inform me of any other town in
England of the same plan, I shall be greatly obligated to them.