opponent. Rupert and Monk (now Duke of Albemarle) with 109 men-of-war and 28 fireships, etc., with 21,006 soldiers and sailors, hung on the coast of Holland, had taken 10 or 12 merchantmen near the Texel, and had been driven home by a storm, when Wassenaar went in pursuit.*

The Dutch were preparing to build 48 new ships, but meanwhile they were able to send with Wassenaar 112 men-of-war and 30 fireships and ketches, carrying 22,365 men.†

Wassenaar had imperative orders to fight, the command of the sea being uppermost in the minds of the States General; but, before he met his antagonists, he had fallen in with, and taken nine English ships trading with Hamburg, and valued at £200,000 to £300,000.

About three o'clock on the morning of Saturday

* "Columna Rostrata" (p. 159). Brandt says reports give 97 and 115 ships. Lefèvre Pontalis Vie de Jean de Witt (p. 341) relying on de Jonge (i. p. 783), and Wicquefort (iii. p. 196), says English 109, 21 fireships, 7 galiots, 4192 guns, 21,000 men.

"Columna Rostrata" (p. 160). Brandt says over 100 menof-war. Lefèvre Pontalis says Dutch fleet, 103 large vessels, 11 fireships, 12 galiots (without counting 40 vessels intended as a reinforcement), and it was armed with 4800 guns and 22,000 men. For Official particulars of Wassenaar's fleet, see Appendix III.

the 13th of June (O.S. June 3rd, see Lediard), Wassenaar engaged the English off Lowestoft. Sacrificing the advantage of the wind to his desire to get at the English leader, he advanced far before the rest of his fleet, and commenced the contest with the Duke of York. Four of his fastest sailers shot out of line after him at some distance. A terrific conflict was carried on by these vessels. The English admiral was in some danger, the blood and brains of three officers standing near, being scattered over him by a shot.

Almost at the beginning of the engagement apparently so irregularly begun, Lieut.-Admiral Stellingwerf was killed, and also Lieut.-Admiral Cortenaar, who was to succeed Wassenaar in case the latter were injured. Cortenaar's crew, in a panic, took his vessel out of action, and were followed by a part of his squadron. Sandwich, with the English Blue Squadron, was dividing the Dutch fleet at the centre in two parts. This most decisive step he accomplished by about one o'clock. Shortly after, Wassenaar's ship blew up, with a fearful uproar, its wreckage being scattered far and wide. Of the 500 gallant fighters on board, only five were saved.

Two separate groups of the Dutch vessels had

fouled one another, and, being struck by the fireships at the same time, a large portion of the Dutch line instantly became one extended blaze. In the flight which followed these catastrophies, several vessels were lost. The Dutch admitted to a loss of 18 in all. They are said to have lost 7000 men, of whom 2000 were prisoners. Their admiral was killed, as well as three lieut.-admirals. The foreign accounts give the English loss as four ships and 1500 men. The English historians say one ship lost and 250 men killed, including a vice- and rear-admiral, and 340 wounded.*

Such a defeat might well spread consternation through the Netherlands. This was not lessened by the appearance of Sandwich in the North Sea with 100 ships. The Dutch, however, set themselves at once to refitting the shattered remnants of their great fleet.

* Lieut.-Admiral Johan Evertszoon, who was most unjustly blamed for this terrible defeat, on his arrival at Brielle was attacked by the populace, and twice thrown into the water before a rescue was effected, and he was taken to his ship. After a searching examination of the facts, de Witt wrote, that instead of punishment, he deserved to be rewarded for his conduct in the battle. Evertszoon, however, resigned in favour of his brother Cornelis, who was ten years his junior. They were the grandsons of Evert Heindricssen, who came from Zouteland to Flushing in 1572, and was a ship captain. His son Jan was a captain in the Dutch navy.

AT THE SUMMIT.

THE ENGLISH WAR.

CORNELIS VAN TROMP was appointed to the chief command, but upon de Ruyter's almost unhopedfor return, de Ruyter replaced him. Then van Tromp refused to serve under him, and only consented after considerable pressure. This was not the only occasion on which van Tromp was to evince a desire to rival de Ruyter. He was much the younger man of the two, having been born in 1629, and was, therefore, now only in his thirtyseventh year. His brilliant courage and his selfconfidence had been manifest since when at nineteen years of age he had commanded a small squadron against the Algerians. He had greatly distinguished himself in the Mediterranean under van Gaalen, and in the recent fight under Wassenaar. As the second son of the great van Tromp, his pride was equal to his courage, and he could.

not forget that his father and grandfather had fallen in battle with the English. A warm supporter of the House of Orange, to which his family was greatly indebted, he was an undisguised opponent of de Witt, who styled him a young man with more fire than reason. In manner he chose to be abrupt and laconic, even in his dealings with the deputies of the provinces. several occasions the unrestrained fury of his attacks in battle proved highly successful, but this quality did not excuse his repeated disobedience to express orders (issued by his commander), which led to great confusion in several instances, and, after his final quarrel with de Ruyter, to his dismissal.

On

Three commissioners had already been appointed (the Grand Pensionary de Witt being of the number) to accompany the admiral, whoever he might be, in order to represent the sovereignty of the States General. De Ruyter was made Lieut.-Admiral of Holland and West Friesland, and commander-in-chief. The late Prince of Orange had been full admiral, and that post was not filled till his son William of Orange took it. About the middle of August, de Ruyter hoisted his flag on the Delfland. The resusci