make the best of it.
Yours, BN."

* * * * *

LETTER 164. TO MR. ROGERS.

"February 16. 1814.

"My dear Rogers,

"I wrote to Lord Holland briefly, but I hope distinctly, on the
subject which has lately occupied much of my conversation with him
and you.[15] As things now stand, upon that topic my determination
must be unalterable.

"I declare to you most sincerely that there is no human being on
whose regard and esteem I set a higher value than on Lord
Holland's; and, as far as concerns himself, I would concede even to
humiliation, without any view to the future, and solely from my
sense of his conduct as to the past. For the rest, I conceive that
I have already done all in my power by the suppression.[16] If that
is not enough, they must act as they please; but I will not 'teach
my tongue a most inherent baseness,' come what may. You will
probably be at the Marquis Lansdowne's to-night. I am asked, but I
am not sure that I shall be able to go. Hobhouse will be there. I
think, if you knew him well, you would like him.

"Believe me always yours very affectionately,

"B."

[Footnote 15: Relative to a proposed reconciliation between Lord
Carlisle and himself.]

[Footnote 16: Of the Satire.]

* * * * *

LETTER 165. TO MR. ROGERS.

"February 16. 1814.

"If Lord Holland is satisfied, as far as regards himself and Lady
Hd., and as this letter expresses him to be, it is enough.

"As for any impression the public may receive from the revival of
the lines on Lord Carlisle, let them keep it,--the more favourable
for him, and the worse for me,--better for all.

"All the sayings and doings in the world shall not make me utter
another word of conciliation to any thing that breathes. I shall
bear what I can, and what I cannot I shall resist. The worst they
could do would be to exclude me from society. I have never courted
it, nor, I may add, in the general sense of the word, enjoyed
it--and 'there is a world elsewhere!'

"Any thing remarkably injurious, I have the same means of repaying
as other men, with such interest as circumstances may annex to it.

"Nothing but the necessity of adhering to regimen prevents me from
dining with you to-morrow.

"I am yours most trul