ABSTRACT
In forming his estimate of William's character, Macaulay naturally relied most on Burnet among contemporary writers. The Bishop justly claims 1 that he had excellent opportunities of studying William through personal intercourse, and his first impressions may be compared with his final judgement. In addition to the many anecdotes about William which are scattered through his pages, Burnet gives three descriptions of considerable length. The first was written in 1686–1687, the other two after William's death. 2 The earliest character of William, when only Prince of Orange, is as follows :
