Antigua and the Antiguans. Volume 2

Page 226

204

BARRISTERS.

and boiling sugar. How far their professional knowledge retains its vigour in the interim their several clients can best tell ; I suppose they refrain from tasting the waters of Lethe, but pay daily orisons at the shrine of Mnemosyne. It must not be supposed that all the barristers of the island in question engage in such diversified occupations ; many of them pay as much respect to their profession as their brethren of Antigua do, and among them are to be found some very clever men. One in particular is possessed of very superior qualifications, and his eloquent pleading would gain attention and merit applause even within the ancient walls of Westminster. His name is also known in the literary world, and his “ Commentaries" upon the laws of his native island have no doubt often materially benefited his brother barristers. It -is, of course, a work that would not call for general attention, from its local nature ; but if once taken up, the author employs so many pleasing bands with which to bind his bundle of law leaves together, that the reader is irresistibly led to peruse it to the end. To return to Antigua. Perhaps the most eminent member of the Antiguan bar is a Mr. James Scotland, who, although he does not often indulge in that flowery style of oratory which some of his brethren of the long robe do, speaks with powerful emphasis, and is grounded in all the mazy doctrines of the law. Mr. S. is a scion of a goodly stock. His ancestors emigrated from the mother country, and became settlers in Antigua, in which island they filled official situations at an early period, and where they have ever maintained a high character for philanthropy and liberal principles, even in days of prejudicial darkness. Such a line of conduct has often drawn down persecution upon the members of this family ; but at length they have met with the reward of their unflinching perseverance in seeing that large portion of the Antiguan community whose interests they have ever supported, enjoying the privileges of British subjects, without regard to complexional prejudice. The merchants are in most instances unexceptionable cha-


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