Barneveld was not a god nor a hero, but a courageous and wide-seeing statesman, and he did his best.

Obliged by his position to affect admiration, or at least respect, where no emotion but contempt was possible, his daily bread was bitter enough.

It was absolutely necessary to humour those whom knew to be traversing his policy and desiring his ruin, for there was no other way to serve his country and save it from impending danger.

So long as he was faithfully served by his subordinates, and not betrayed by those to whom he gave his heart, he could confront external enemies and mould the policy of wavering allies.
Few things in history are more pitiable than the position of James in regard to Spain.

For seven long years he was as one entranced, the slave to one idea, a Spanish marriage for his son.