CHARLES JOSEPH COURSOL, ESQ.,

JUDGE OF THE SESSIONS OF THE PEACE, MONTREAL.

A SHORT time only has elapsed since the name of Judge Coursol filled a prominent place in the newspapers of America, while the St. Albans raid, with which it was associated, became the text of much animated criticism. His photograph will gratify the friendly wish of some, and the natural curiosity of all, who desire to see the likeness of one of whom much was written and a great deal more was said. Apart from such considerations, Mr. Coursol's career possesses many features of interest which are not unworthy of being grouped with our other jottings of men of the time. He is a native of Upper Canada, for he was born at Malden, in the County of Essex, in 1820. His father, Mr. J. Coursol, was an officer in the Hudson Bay Company's service, as well as an intrepid explorer of the remote wilds of America. His mother was a daughter of Mr. Joseph Quesnel, who is favorably known in Canadian literature as the author of some poems of much local popularity, as well as of certain plays and operas which were performed at the Provincial theatres.* From his father he probably inherited tastes which are commonly associated with the sports and occupations of a forester's life. Such tastes are nurtured in the lap of

Colas et Colinette, ou le Bailli Dupé-a comedy, 1788. Lucas et Cecile—a musical operatta. Les Republicains Français-a comedy; a Treatise on Dramatic Art.

1805.

adventure, and are mainly nourished with freedom and fresh air. They are allied to the faculty of perception, to the cool head, the cunning hand, and the keen eye. We should expect Mr. Coursol to be what we believe he is; an ardent sportsman, an unerring shot, and a fearless rider. From his mother, it may be conjectured, he derived his intellectual properties, including the twin gifts, imagination and fancy, which are the poet's especial heritage; and which, very possibly, animated the heart and colored the thoughts of her on whose bosom he was hushed. His father's tastes and his mother's culture may, perchance, be found united in the character of the son. It is remarked that Mr. Coursol has paid a very creditable degree of attention to physical as well as to intellectual gymnastics. Action with him is generally conspicuous for energy, no matter whether it requires the co-operation of an educated head or an instructed arm.

In the year after his birth, his father died. His mother, in the course of time, married secondly Mr. C. S. Cherrier, Queen's counsel of Montreal. That gentleman is the present representative of the Viger family, and, we may add, the residuary legatee of the estate of the late Honorable D. B. Viger. When only an infant, her orphan son, the subject of this sketch, was adopted by his maternal uncle, the Honorable F. A. Quesnel, whose name, for half a century, has been creditably associated with the history of the Province. We may add that at the death of the last-mentioned gentleman, his nephew and adopted son was appointed, by will, the sole legatee of his large estates. He was educated at the Montreal college. In 1841, he was admitted to the Bar, where his success equalled his repute, especially in criminal cases. He married the daughter of Colonel the Honorable Sir E. P. Taché. It may be easily conjectured that the period of his education was contemporaneous with the most exciting and least happy season of Canadian politics. It is idle to inquire whether the heat of that day took its rise in patriotism or prejudice, in virtue or distemper. It is suffi