The fullest and most authentic record of the labours and sacrifices by which he kept together, during eight years, a crowd of fainthearted and treacherous potentates, negligent of the common interest and jealous of each other, is to be found in his correspondence with Heinsius.

In that correspondence William is all himself.

He had, in the course of his eventful life, to sustain some high parts for which he was not eminently qualified; and, in those parts, his success was imperfect.

As Sovereign of England, he showed abilities and virtues which entitle him to honourable mention in history; but his deficiencies were great.

He was to the last a stranger amongst us, cold, reserved, never in good spirits, never at his ease.
His kingdom was a place of exile.