The event of battles, indeed, is not an unfailing test of the abilities of a commander; and it would be peculiarly unjust to apply this test to William: for it was his fortune to be almost always opposed to captains who were consummate masters of their art, and to troops far superior in discipline to his own.

Yet there is reason to believe that he was by no means equal, as a general in the field, to some who ranked far below him in intellectual powers.

To those whom he trusted he spoke on this subject with the magnanimous frankness of a man who had done great things, and who could well afford to acknowledge some deficiencies.

He had never, he said, served an apprenticeship to the military profession.

He had been placed, while still a boy, at the head of an army.