imself, who had been since my very good friends;--and there
it ended. This was no time for concessions to Lord C.

"I have been interrupted, but shall write again soon. Believe me
ever, my dear Moore," &c.

* * * * *

Another of his friends having expressed, soon after, some intention of
volunteering publicly in his defence, he lost no time in repressing him
by the following sensible letter:--

LETTER 169. TO W * * W * *, ESQ.

"February 28. 1814.

"My dear W.,

"I have but a few moments to write to you. _Silence_ is the only
answer to the things you mention; nor should I regard that man as
my friend who said a word more on the subject. I care little for
attacks, but I will not submit to _defences_; and I do hope and
trust that _you_ have never entertained a serious thought of
engaging in so foolish a controversy. Dallas's letter was, to his
credit, merely as to facts which he had a right to state; _I_
neither have nor shall take the least _public_ notice, nor permit
any one else to do so. If I discover the writer, then I may act in
a different manner; but it will not be in writing.

"An expression in your letter has induced me to write this to you,
to entreat you not to interfere in any way in such a business,--it
is now nearly over, and depend upon it _they_ are much more
chagrined by my silence than they could be by the best defence in
the world. I do not know any thing that would vex me more than any
further reply to these things.

"Ever yours, in haste,

"B."

* * * * *

LETTER 170. TO MR. MOORE.

"March 3. 1814.

"My dear Friend,

"I have a great mind to tell you that I _am_ 'uncomfortable,' if
only to make you come to town; where no one ever more delighted in
seeing you, nor is there any one to whom I would sooner turn for
consolation in my most vapourish moments. The truth is, I have 'no
lack of argument' to ponder upon of the most gloomy description,
but this arises from _other_ causes. Some day or other, when we are
_veterans_, I may tell you a tale of present and past times; and it
is not from want of confidence that I do not now,--but--but--always
a _but_ to the end of the chapter.

"There is nothing, however, upon the _spot_ either to love or
hate;