London

Nov^r 19^th

Dear Talbot

I have just received your letter. I am rather shocked at your unconstitutional supposition that a L^d L^t can have to do with the examination of Sheriffs – I am afraid you would contemplate without horror the H. of Lords amending a money bill –

Sheriffs being civil Officers are picked out of a list of gentlemen furnished at each <illegible> by the Judges – this picking takes place at the Privy Council – I think generally about the end of the Year –

I write in haste having many letters to dispatch before I can get of <sic> to Brighton – but concluded by your putting the question suddenly, you required an immediate answer –

I do not wonder you have escaped from the interminable list of visits – which seems to allow a very distant perspective of Laycock of poor Laycock which seems to have fallen into disgrace.

yours ever affec^ly

Lansdowne