ntleman obtained from Lieutenant-Governor
Milnes the appointment of Solicitor-General, from which he was
dismissed by Sir James Craig, in consequence of his pursuing a line of
conduct, which the latter considered utterly inconsistent with his duty
as a servant of the Crown." What the particular line of conduct pursued
by Mr. Stuart was, that so much offended Sir James Craig, even time and
Mr. Ryland have not yet revealed. Perhaps "the Anglo-American
Barrister" did not bow sufficiently low to confidential Secretaries and
Executive Clerks. He would have found such obsequiousness difficult.
Mr. Stuart was both vigorous in mind and body, and was very far from
being a common man. He stood more than six feet high, and was built in
proportion. His shoulders were broad, his chest ample, and his arms
long. His head was immoderately large. His countenance was commanding
and his bearing dignified. He spoke with great fluency and with
astonishing conciseness. His eye was large, his forehead prominent,
lofty and broad, with great depth between the brow and the occiput, his
nose was long and aquiline, with the nostrils open; his mouth was
large, but the lips were thin; and the chin was square and somewhat
prominent; viewed, in profile, the whole head was wall-sided. He was no
man to be trifled with, and none other than a fool would at any time,
have thought of doing so. The Chief Justice Sewell, also an
Anglo-American, was also an exceedingly talented man, but still a man
quite of another stamp of mind, to that of Mr. Stuart. Mr. Sewell was
thoroughly polished. No man could so well bow to power or so well bend
an inferior to his will as Mr. Chief Justice Sewell. To see him in the
street was to see him in the least, the lowest, and, consequently, the
worst point of view. He was knowing, well read, and well bred. He could
become sarcastic, but never condescended to be furious. If he was at
all sycophantic, it was his will rather than his nature to be so. On
the bench, he loomed large, being long in body, and looked stately and
agreeable. He could be stern, but sternness was less natural to him
than concealment. He never told all he knew, nor did his face ever
betray the innermost recesses of his heart. On the whole, Mr. Sewell
was a good man, and he was an excellent Chief Justice. Such are the
characters of the complainant and the defendant in this cause. Mr.
Stuart carried great weight, when on the right side, in a House of
Assembly, s