CHAUFFE, _Fr._ a spot where the wood is collected and burnt in a foundry. The _chauffe_ stands three feet under the side of the furnace, the flames which issue from it, spread over every part of the inside of the furnace, and by their intense heat dissolve the metal. CHAUSSE-_Trapes_, _Fr._ are what we call _crows-feet_, they consist of nails with 4 or 5 points, of which one always stands upwards above the level of the ground; each point is 2, 3, 4 or 5 inches long. They are usually fixed in different parts of a breach, or in any place which is accessible to cavalry; to prevent its approach: sometimes they are of use to obstruct the passage of cavalry through the streets of towns. CHAUSSEE, or _Rès de_ CHAUSSEE, an old expression for the level of the field or the plain ground. CHEEKS, a general name among mechanics, for those pieces of timber in their machines, which are double and perfectly corresponding to each other. In the construction of military carriages, &c. the term is used to denote the strong planks which form the sides of gun carriages. CHEF, _Fr._ Chef has various significations in the French service. With regard to private soldiers, it serves to mark out the corporal or oldest soldier, who has the management of their provisions in quarters, or in the field; this person was called _chef de chambrée_. A chef de chambrée among the Romans, was called a decanus, whence our church deacon. CHEF _d’escadre_, _Fr._ a general officer, who commands any part of an army, or division of a fleet. His duty in the sea-service is nearly the same as that of a commodore or a brigadier general on shore. _Chefs d’escadre_ sit upon all general courts-martial, and rank according to the dates of their commissions. CHEFS _de files_, _Fr._ the front rank of a battalion, consisting generally of the best and bravest soldiers. When an engagement takes place, par file, by files, as in the action of riflemen, the order of the battalion is necessarily changed; that which was rank becomes file, and what was file becomes rank. CHELSEA HOSPITAL, a noble edifice which was built by Charles the 2d of England on his restoration, and afterwards improved by his successor James the 2d. Non-commissioned officers and private men, who have been wounded or maimed in the service, are entitled to the benefit of this hospital. There are in and out-pensioners belonging to the establishment, and the provisions of it extend to the militia under the following restrictions: serjeants who have served fifteen years, and corporals or drummers who have served twenty, may be recommended to the bounty. Serjeants on the establishment may likewise receive that allowance, with their pay in the militia. But serjeants who have been appointed subsequent to the passing of the 26th of George the 3d, are not entitled to it under twenty years service. CHEMIN-_Couvert_. See COVERT-WAY.