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CHARLES II.

The commons at first seemed to proceed with c H A ptemper. They granted the sum of 586,000 pounds, LXV1,for buildiny thirty ships; though they strictlyappropriated the money to that service. Estimateswere given in of the expense; but it was after-wards found that they fell short near 100,000pounds. They also voted , agreeably to the king’srequest, the continuance of the additional excisefor three years. This excise had been granted fornine years in 1668. Every thing seemed to pro-mise a peaceable and an easy session.

Bu r the parliament was roused from this tran- Campaigaquillity by the news received from abroad. The of I677 'French king had taken the field in the middle ofFebruary, and laid siege to Valenciennes, whichhe carried in a few days by storm. He next in-vested both Cambray and St. Omers. The princeof Orange, alarmed with his prognss , hastilyassembled an army, and marched to the relief ofSt. Omers. He was encountered by the French ,under the duke of Orleans and mareschal Luxem-bourg. The prince possessed great talents forwar; courage, activity, vigilance, patience; butstill he was inferior in genius to those consummategenerals, opposed to him by Lewis; and thoughhe always found means to repair his losses, andto make head in a little time against the victors,he was , during his whole life, unsuccessful. Bya masterly movement of Luxembourg, he washere defeated,* and obliged to retreat to Ypres.

Cambray and St. Omers were soon after surren-dered to Lewis.

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