HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

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The combined squadrons amounted to twenty-two sail, that of Great Britainto no more than sixteen, yet a complete victory was obtained by the latter, andthe overthrow was so complete, that the English, having pursued their routedfoes into St. Christophers, where they had taken refuge, not only burnt theship of the French admiral, as well as six or seven more, but compelled the foeto destroy the whole remainder of their force, two ships excepted. Peace tookplace shortly after this time.

The cessation of hostilities between the contending countries produced norelaxation on the part of Louis. The propensity had taken root, and neithercould pleasure divert, nor any apparent difficulty dissuade him from encouragingit. The states of Holland had alarmed his pride, and excited his jealousy,at the same time they afforded him a very striking example of the advantageswhich almost invariably follow prudence and steady perseverance. From astate and condition of the utmost insignificance, they had raised themselves intoa consequence which appeared to defy the assaults and attacks of any countryin the universe. By land he felt himself perfectly competent to wage warwith them whenever he thought proper, but by sea he was no less consciousof his own inferiority. The rapidly encreasing commerce of the people havingroused his avarice, and the naval power they possessed, his apprehension, thatin case of any dispute, or commencement of hostilities with them, they mightfind some opportunity of striking him in a vulnerable part, he became deter-mined on preventing the possibility of such a misfortune, by providing a suffi-cient remedy to the dreaded disease.

So attentive and energetic was he in pursuing this system, that in 1672,when he openly declared his intention of joining his arms to those of kingCharles the Second, and making war on Holland, his navy consisted of fiftyships of the line, besides a sufficient number of frigates, and smaller vessels.Nearly forty sail of the former class mounting, on an average, fifty guns each,with several others of inferior rate, were put under the orders of the countd’Estrees ; and though the French officers, as well as seamen, were very justlyconsidered mere novices in the art of naval war, yet so diligent was their appli-cation, and so enthusiastic their pursuit, that in the space even of a few monthsonly, they became tolerably expert in those manoeuvres which were more parti-cularly necessary in time of action. The French admiral is charged, particularlyby the English writers, with having studiously endeavoured to avoid, if possible,materially engaging any part of the fleet belonging to his nation in a seriousVol. II. Rr action.