226 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

e H a p. signal , and observed that most of his ships werel,xv. in no condition to keep the sea long , wifely

t«72. provided for their safety by making easy sail

towards the English coast. The victory in thisbattle was as doubtful, as in all actions foughtduring the present war.

The turn , which the affairs of the Hollanderstook by land, was more favorable. The princeof Orange besieged and took Naarden ; and fromthis success gave his country reason to hope sotstill more prosperous enterprises. Montecuculi,\vho commanded the Imperialists on the UpperRhine , deceived, by the most artful conduct,the vigilance and penetration of Turenne , andmaking a sudden march, sat down before Bonne.The prince of Orange’s conduct was no lessmasterly ; while he eluded all the French generals,- and leaving them behind him , joined his army to

that of the Imperialists. Bonne was taken in afew days : Several other places in the electorateof Cologne fell into the hands of the allies : Andthe communication being thus cut off betweenFrance and the United Provinces , Lewis wasobliged to recal his forces , and to abandon allhis concjuests, with greater rapidity than he hadat first made them. The taking of Maestrichtwas the only advantage , which he gained thiscampaign.

Congress of A CONGRESS was opened at Cologne under thecologne, mediation of Sweden ; but with small hopes ofsuccess. The demands of the two kings weresuch as must have reduced the Hollanders to