William declared aloud at his table before many persons that he would make the most Christian King repent the outrage, and, when questioned about these words by the Count of Avaux, positively refused either to retract them or to explain them away.

The quarrel was carried so far that the French minister could not venture to present himself at the drawing room of the Princess for fear of receiving some affront.

[220] The feeling with which William regarded France explains the whole of his policy towards England.

His public spirit was an European public spirit.
The chief object of his care was not our island, not even his native Holland, but the great community of nations threatened with subjugation by one too powerful member.

Those who commit the error of considering him as an English statesman must necessarily see his whole life in a false light, and will be unable to discover any principle, good or bad, Whig or Tory, to which his most important acts can be referred.