2 ifi

HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

of France had experienced a diminution of three-fifths. Spain also had mate-rially suffered, although her losses had been confined to an abstract departmentof her navy, detached by custom almost entirely from European service, andthe protection of the fountain head, or mother state. Exertions were necessaryto repair its fallen consequence, and they were accordingly made, with thesame degree of energy that on former occasions had raised both countries from ap-parently a desperate condition. Other events, however, more consequential thanthe quiescent demeanour of France and Spain, or their exertions for war, whilecontent with a share of peace, claim previous notice. Russia, whose fleet, oreven single ships fitted for war, had scarcely ever-ventured beyond the Sound,or entrance into the Baltic, became suddenly engaged in a most serious disputewith the Ottoman power. The contest by land was simple. It could be decidedby one single operation, the mutual march of armies to a central point. Butthis plain mode of decision, which had been the only one resorted to on formeroccasions, was considered insufficient on the present. It was considered ne-cessary to the termination of the pending dispute, that the fleets as well as ar-mies of Turkey and of Russia should meet. Europe then, for the first time, be-held the squadrons of Russia issuing from the Baltic, and seeking in the distantwaters of the Levant a foe worthy of her exertions, in respect both to gallantryand power, but far inferior in skill and nautical experience. The fleet of theGrand Signior, which comprised by far the greater part of the naval force hethen possessed, was surprised, attacked, and completely destroyed in the bayof Chisme. The consternation of the vanquished, in consequence of this un-expected disaster, is said to have been so great, that, if certain impediments,which it is unnecessary to state, had not arisen, it is more than probablethe insult and distresses of Vienna, in the preceding century, might havebeen then fully avenged by a people esteemed at that time barbarous, and be-neath the dignity of the Grand Signior’s notice, or resentment.

The trivial dispute between Britain and Spain, almost cotemporary to theforegoing event, scarcely deserves notice on any other ground than to showthat the latter country, notwithstanding its recent chastisement, was still aliveto every opportunity of encroachment. But the dispute was adjusted withouthostilities being committed on either side. It proved the harbinger, though a to-tally unconnected one, of a most serious contest, which commenced betweenGreat-Britain and her colonies in North America. It may appear extraordinary,if not incredible, to future ages, how a country destitute as that juft mentioned

was