In no profession does advancement depend more surely upon individual merit than in the practice of law. Comprehensive knowledge of legal principles must constitute the foundation for success which can only be won at the cost of earnest, persistent effort and study. Recognizing this fact, Joseph Leon St. Jacques has closely applied himself to the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence and to the preparation of his cases, with a result that he now has an extensive and representative clientele. He practices in Montreal and has spent his entire life in the province of Quebec, his birth having occurred at St. Hermas, in the county of Two Mountains, July 13, 1877, his parents being Joseph and Cazilde (Lafond) St. Jacques, the former a farmer of St. Hermas. The grandfather, F. X. St. Jacques, was born at St. Augustin, in the county of Two Mountains and resided for many years in Ottawa, but is now deceased. The great-grandfather was Captain Eustache Cheval dit St. Jacques of St. Augustin, who in 1837 remained loyal to the crown and in 1838 was presented a sword in token of the recognition of his loyalty by Her Majesty, Queen Victoria. The ancestors of the family have the name of Cheval as well as St. Jacques. [Illustration: JOSEPH L. ST. JACQUES] In the acquirement of his education Joseph Leon St. Jacques attended the Jacques Cartier Normal school from which he was graduated with the class of 1897, obtaining the academic diploma. He later entered Laval University in which he completed his course in 1901, winning the degrees of LL. L. and LL. M. The same year he was admitted to the bar and entered upon practice. In the meantime, however, after leaving the normal school, he had devoted some time to teaching. He began practice at Lachute, where he had a few criminal cases, including the trial of Robert Day, a murder case. After six years of practice in the country district he came to Montreal and entered into partnership with Mr. Gustave Lamothe, K. C. The firm of Lamothe, St. Jacques & Lamothe has an extensive clientele, especially among religious interests and municipal corporations. He is also a director of some financial enterprises. On the 19th of May, 1906, at St. Hermas, Mr. St. Jacques was married to Miss Albertine Lafond, a daughter of Mathias Lafond, a merchant and prominent citizen of his municipality. There are four children in the St. Jacques family; Jacques, Jules, Gustave and Alberte. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church. In politics Mr. St. Jacques is a conservative and has taken an active part in the political campaigns of Argenteuil and Two Mountains, being a recognized leader in conservative ranks. He has ever preferred, however, to concentrate his energies and efforts upon his law practice, which is now extensive and important, placing him with the leading representatives of the Montreal bar. GEORGE HASTINGS.