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 Education for the English Bar in the Inns of Court. 7 of Gray's Inn was built in 1560, and that of the Middle Temple shortly thereafter. The latter was, and remains still, the finest of the Halls. Its Gothic roofing of dark oak, the quaintly-carved screen, the high windows of decorated glass, the heraldic emblems on the panelled walls, made a harmonious setting for

ways been in the hands of a board of the eminent older members of the bar, styled the Masters of the Bench, or simply the Benchers. They had, and still have, en tire control of the studies and the discipline of the House, and meet in solemn parliament to admit or call members of their Inns to the

INTERIOR OF MIDDLE TEMPLE HALL.

the learned body of the Society. In the pre cincts of the Inns, free of the jurisdiction of the city, the students and barristers lived in the old chambers, discussed cases in the gar dens, and, solemnly robed, dined together in the ancient halls. The government of the Inns has al-

Bar. In the exercise of this power they are practically supreme, for though now there may be an appeal from their decision to the judges of the King's Bench Division, no ap peal has ever been upheld. They may also disbar members for any cause. The Bench ers are elected by the Societies, and their