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HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

country, was such as might be considered likely to give a prosperous turn to theaffairs of any state which was not previously completely exhausted. The whole ofthat naval armament which the Spaniards were able to collect on the side of theMediterranean, immediately joined their ally; but such, alas! was the miserablestate to which it was reduced, that the once mighty and tremendous fleet whichshe possessed, was sunk to a few ships of the line, with an inconsiderable squa-dron of gallies, ill equipped, and worse manned. Fate pursued her blow, as ifresolved that nothing but the ruin of this unhappy people should suffice to ap-pease her wrath. The united fleets of Holland and Spain, if the latter could besaid to deserve that appellation, though commanded by one of the bravest, andablest men Holland ever boasted, were for some time held at bay by the self-created power of Louis ; and after the unfortunate death of that great man,were at last totally defeated off Palermo on the second day of June. Four ofthe best ships in the Spanish navy, with two of their gallies, were burnt, besidessome others, among which was that of the Spanish vice-admiral, driven on shore,or otherwise destroyed. Spain reduced once more, particularly in respect toher marine, to the last extremity, experienced, however, a respite from farther,ruin by the treaty at Nimeguen, which was concluded in the following year.-Cessation from the violent assaults of foreign enemies, and the various ad-vantages which usually result to a country in a state of peace, were here oflittle avail and benefit. As a naval power, a rank which political prudencoappeared to dictate that Spain should aspire to the character of, she still con-tinued in the lowest class; and nothing but that prodigious influx of wealth,which the honour of foreign countries allowed she should still retain, preservedto her any consequence whatever in the scale of nations.

France, the naval upstart of the preceding hour, sought daily opportunities,of affronting and insulting her fallen greatness, and her incompetency to resentthe affront, compelled her to submit, without manifesting resentment, though not-without murmur, and the most heartfelt dissatisfaction. A singular instanceof this insolence and forbearance occurred in the year 1688 : when the countde Tourville, being then on a cruise in the Mediterranean with a small squa-dron, had the fortune to meet some Spanish ships inferior in force: from thesehe imperiously exacted, and received the compliment of lowering their topsails,,in sad token of their inferiority, and submission. Spain after this time could,only present to the world the shadow of a naval power, for the fleet ofFrance, distracted as its attention was by its powerful opponents, Britain and.

Holland,