MEMOIR OF THE LIFE OF The HONORABLE WILLIAM B. BLISS. 23

The pure, and efficient administration of justice is one of the most essential features of good government. The Province of Nova Scotia from the first settlement has been very fortunate in the ability, learning, and integrity of the men who from time to time have occupied seats on the Supreme Court Bench. Jonathan Beicher, the first Chief Justice, was a man of exceptional ability and force of character. He not only inaugurated with great dignity our Supreme Court, and regulated its procedure, but by his assistance, and guided by his hand the foundations of our Provincial law were laid solidly, and well. Our knowledge of the Judges from his time up to the appointment of Sir Brenton Haliburton as Chief Justice in 1833 is very limited. From that date onwards we are in a position to form a fairly accurate estimate of the men who sat on the Supreme Court Bench. Of these Mr. Justice Bliss has always been regarded as one of the ablest and best. Amongst his contemporaries his high character and judicial acumen were universally recognised, and his reputation as a great judge survives as one of the most cherished traditions of the Bench and Bar. That reputation does not rest on tradition alone, but is to be found in the Law Reports on every page where his decisions are preserved giving abundant evidence of his great learning, and high qualifications for the office he so long filled to the great advantage of the Province.

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