Angers, Dunkin, Drummond, Loranger, Andrew Stuart, Okill Stuart, Tessier, Gugy, and others ejusdem generis (nearly all in later times holding prominent positions on the bench), attendance on the courts was a liberal education for a student- To say that Mr. Fournier could more than hold his own with such rivals would seem extravagant praise, if it were not literally true. Mr. Fournier always took a warm interest in the political issues of his Province, and for several years, as a joint editor of one of the leading journals, promoted the interests of the liberal party. In 1870 he was elected to represent Bellechase in the House of Com mons of Canada, and in 1871 to represent the county of Montmagny in the Legisla ture of the Province of Quebec. The latter seat he resigned when dual representation was abolished in 1873. In that year, when the liberal party came into power, Mr. Four nier, being one of their acknowledged leaders, became Minister of Inland Revenue, and in 1874 Minister of Justice, and still later, in 1875, Postmaster-General, which position he relinquished upon being appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court. Unlike most of the appointees, Mr. Justice Fournier had no previous judicial experience to assist him when called to the highest court of the Dominion, but he soon showed him self possessed of all the essentials which go to make a fine judge. A man of great re served force, equable in temper, invariably courteous to all; a master of legal principles, especially of the system in which he has been trained; reading and speaking English as well as his native tongue, and writing it with a skill and a charm of style which most Eng lishmen would envy, — he has been a source of great strength to the bench, and a worthy representative of the Province which has produced so many great judges. Judge Fournier is ably seconded in sus taining the credit of the Province of Quebec by the Hon. Mr. Justice Henri ElzearTaschereau. He succeeded his cousin the Hon. Mr. Justice Jean Thomas Taschereau, who
was, with Judge Fournier, appointed from the Province of Quebec in 1875, but who, owing to ill-health, was obliged to re sign in 1878, after taking an active share in the organization of the court. This learned judge, who is still living in a well-earned retirement, had for many years prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court graced the bench of the Province of Quebec, and was well known as a judge of great attainments. That upon his resigna tion his place on the bench should be filled by a near relative, also a judge of decided ability and force of character, need not sur prise any one acquainted with the prominent part which the distinguished family to which Judge Taschereau belongs, fills in the judi cial annals of the Province of Quebec. To give a biographical account of the judges of the name of Taschereau would necessitate writing the history of Canada for nearly two hundred years. During that period no less than seven members of the family have oc cupied seats on the bench. Judge Tasche reau has therefore a prescriptive hereditary right to the judicial qualities which he pos sesses. The name of late years has acquired a world-wide, fame by the elevation of Car dinal Taschereau to the illustrious position of Prince of the Church. The Cardinal is a brother of Mr. Justice Jean Thomas Tasche reau, and a first cousin of the subject of the present sketch. Born on the 7th of October, 1836, Judge Taschereau is in the prime of life. After a number of years of active practice, he was in 1871 appointed a puisne judge of the Superior Court of the Province of Quebec, from which position he was promoted in 1878 to the Supreme Court Bench.' He is a very handsome man, of aristocratic address and manners. He thinks, speaks, and writes, in both English and French, with equal readiness. When speaking English, so perfect is his accent and so complete his command of that tongue, it is quite impos sible to detect his French origin. And he writes English in a vigorous, forcible, clear
