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The Supreme Court of Canada.

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felt compelled to resign in 1879, but not be with reference to its relation to the wants fore the thorough organization of the court and habits of a new country. No judge on and many judgments remained to testify to the bench has shown a more thorough and his eminent fitness for the duties of his posi appreciative knowledge of the instincts and tion. He died on the 26th of January, 1889, necessities of Canadian life; and few more leaving behind him an enviable and distin liberal-minded men or far-seeing minds have guished record. been called upon to express judicial opinions The hold Sir William Richards had upon in Canada." the confidence of all classes of the commu Upon the resignation of Chief-Justice

nity was remarkable. Richards in 1879, the Every one spoke of Hon. William John and believed in his ston Ritchie, who had great common-sense; been appointed senior this was his strong puisne judge on the characteristic, but he organization of the had also, as a lawyer court in 1875, was and judge, a thorough made Chief-Justice. knowledge of the prin For twenty years prior to his appointment he ciples and practice of had occupied a seat the laws which he ad on the bench of the ministered. To a cas Province of New ual observer Sir Wil Brunswick, and for ten liam Richards in face years was Chief-Jus and figure suggested tice. Thus he brought rugged strength. He resembled greatly,both to the Supreme Court of Canada a ripened in characteristics and judicial experience. appearance, the late Horn in 1813, he was Chief-Justice Waite of then sixty-two years of the Supreme Court age, and endowed with of the United States. a splendid physique, It was only on a closer tall, well built, and acquaintance that the THE HON. TELKSFHORE FOURNIER athletic in frame, his symptoms of the energetic manner and asthmatic trouble from which he so long suffered became apparent. bearing indicated the great reserve of ner His countenance was kindly, open, sensible, vous power which has assisted a fine mind to and thoughtful, most indicative of the quali do its work to the best advantage. Both in ties of his mind. He had no enemies and mind and body he has been well equipped very many friends, and few judges have ac by nature and training for the heavy judicial quired so entirely the respect and love of their labors which have fallen to his lot; and still fellow-citizens. " We have in Chief-Justice vigorous and active there is every reason to Richards," said the "Canada Law Journal" hope that he will be spared for many years at the time of his appointment, " a man of more of honorable and useful work. powerful intellect, taking a wide grasp of a In 188 1 the Chief-Justice received the subject and looking at it ' all round,' so to well-deserved honor of knighthood. The speak, discussing it, not only with reference following reference recently made to him in to the abstract law therein involved, but also one 'of our journals is strictly accurate. v