fort and town of Asia, on the south-west coast of the island of Sumatra, belonging to the British. The place is known at sea by a flender mountain called the Sugar Loaf, which rises about 20 miles inland. About a quarter of a mile from the sea stands an Indian village, whose houses are small and low, and built on polls. The country about Bencoolen is mountainous and woody, and the air unhealthy, the mountains being continually covered with thick heavy clouds that produce lightning, thunder, and rain. There is no beef to be had, except that of buffaloes, which is not very palatable; and indeed provisions of all kinds, except fruit, are pretty scarce. The chief trade is in pepper, of which great quantities grow on the island. There are frequent bickerings betwixt the natives and the factory, to the no small injury of the East India company. The factory was once entirely deserted; and had not the natives found that trade decreased by reason of their absence, it is scarce probable that ever the English would have been invited there again. E. Long. 101. S. Lat. 4.5.