the inns of court, the senior members of the society, who are invested with the government of the body to which they belong.

Bencoolen, formerly the chief establishment possessed by the East India Company in the island of Sumatra, on the south-western coast. It was for a few years a distinct presidency. In 1719 the settlers were expelled by the natives, but were soon permitted to return. In 1760 all the English settlements on the coast of Sumatra were destroyed by a French fleet under Comte d'E斯塔ign. They were afterwards re-established and secured to the British by the treaty of 1763; but in 1825 they were finally ceded to the king of the Netherlands in exchange for the Dutch settlements on the continent of India. Long. 102. 3. E. Lat. 3. 50. S.