Characteristics of French, English, and Dutch ships
101
Conditions of other European States
102
Louis XIV. the leading personality in Europe
103
His policy
104
Colbert's administrative acts
105
Second Anglo-Dutch War, 1665
107
Battle of Lowestoft, 1665
108
Fire-ships, compared with torpedo-cruisers
109
The group formation
112
The order of battle for sailing-ships
115
The Four Days' Battle, 1666
117
Military merits of the opposing fleets
126
Soldiers commanding fleets, discussion
127
Ruyter in the Thames, 1667
132
Peace of Breda, 1667
132
Military value of commerce-destroying
132
CHAPTER III.
War of England and France in Alliance against the United Provinces, 1672–1674.—Finally, of France against Combined Europe, 1674–1678.—Sea Battles of Solebay, the Texel, and Stromboli.
Aggressions of Louis XIV. on Spanish Netherlands
139
Policy of the United Provinces
139
Triple alliance between England, Holland, and Sweden
140
Anger of Louis XIV.
140
Leibnitz proposes to Louis to seize Egypt
141
His memorial
142
Bargaining between Louis XIV. and Charles II.
143
The two kings declare war against the United Provinces
144
Military character of this war
144
Naval strategy of the Dutch
144
Tactical combinations of De Ruyter
145
Inefficiency of Dutch naval administration
145
Battle of Solebay, 1672
146
Tactical comments
147
Effect of the battle on the course of the war
148
Land campaign of the French in Holland
149
Murder of John De Witt, Grand Pensionary of Holland
