The vexation and indignation of Leopold were extreme.

But there could be no doubt that, graciously or ungraciously, he would submit.

It would have been madness in him to contend against all Western Europe on land; and it was physically impossible for him to wage war on the sea.

William was therefore able to indulge, during some weeks, the pleasing belief that he had by skill and firmness averted from the civilised world a general war which had lately seemed to be imminent, and that he had secured the great community of nations against the undue predominance of one too powerful member.
But the pleasure and the pride with which he contemplated the success of his foreign policy gave place to very different feelings as soon as he again had to deal with our domestic factions.

And, indeed, those who most revere his memory must acknowledge that, in dealing with these factions, he did not, at this time, show his wonted statesmanship.