25 Oct r 1807

L d Eldon's Bill

'.8.

Senior Judge

So far so good. But the misfortune is, happy as the solution is, it can not have place in every case, and the case that does not admitt of it, is among the five or six modifications all equally possible, the most natural. Suppose that upon the absence of the regular President, the election under '.2 had turned out in favour of the Senior Judge, his brethren having agreed that no such affront should be put upon him as the learned penman had designed for him. Here then though under '.2 there is no Judge to preside in the Division, there is a Judge, viz. this Senior Judge to sit at the head of it. But now then, unfortunately comes the call, and out /off/ goes the Senior Judge upon his visit. But observe /what is/ the consequence? In the division which under '.8. that has parted with its senior Judge, after having by spontaneous absentation parted with its President, its sole possible as well as sole actual President - in this division there remains no Judge to preside in it, no Judge so much as to sit at the head of it. Now then what is to be done? Is the business of it to remain at a stand all the /the whole/ timethat the visit lasts - a time to which there are no definite limits? or under and by virtue of '.8. is a fresh election to take place?