General View of the Affairs of Europe, with a particular Account of those of England, from the Restoration of Charles II. in 1660, to the Triple Alliance, in 1668. Great popularity of Charles II. of England at his restora- tion, and eminent political fituation among the powers of His libertine and accommodating character He forms his privy council from among all parties and fects 4 His prudent choice of his principal servants The Earl of Clarendon, Chancellor and Prime Minister ibid. Trial and execution of the regicides Diffolurion of the Convention Parliament >661 New Parliament favourable to episcopacy and monarchical 39 X 6 7 7 IO 1661 Rigour of the High-church party 1662 Presbyterian clergy ejected This impolitic measure unites the Protestant Diffenters in a The King and his brother the Duke of York, being secretly Catholics, form the plan of a general toleration Declaration to that purpose ibid. The plan of toleration opposed by the Parliament, and laid Presbyterians persecuted in Scotland 3664 War with the United Provinces State of the affairs of that republic Character of the penfionary De Wit Great naval preparations of England and Holland 1665 Dutch defeated by the English fleet under the Duke of York is France and Denmark league with the United Provinces against 1666 Memorable sea fight of four days After various turns of fortune, the Durch fleet, under de Ruyter and young Tromp, forced to retreat by the English, com- manded by Prince Rupert and i he Duke of Albemarle The Hollanders insulted in their harbours Insurrection of the Presbyterians The rebels routed, and the Presbyterian prisoners treated with 1667 A&t of the English parliament prohibiting the importation of That law ultimately beneficial to Ireland The Dutch fleet under de Ruyter, takes poffeffion of the mouth Burning of the ships at Chatham Consternation of the city of London Impeachment and banishment of the Earl of Clarendon 32 His munificence, splendor, and popularity ibid. 26 . A.D. Page 1667 Examples of the arrogance of Lewis XIV. 33 He refuses to pay to England the honours of the flag ibid. 34 Feeble administration of Mary Anne of Austria, Queen Regent of Spain ibid. The King of France invades the Spanish Netherlands, and makes himself master of many places 35 All Europe filled with terror at the rapid progress of his arms ibid. 1668 Triple Alliance the consequence of that terror 36 France and Spain equally displeased at the terms of this league 37 Treaty of Aix-la Chapelle 38 Independency of Portugal acknowledged ibid. 40 L E T T E R XIII. Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1668, to the Peace of Nime guen, in 1678. 41 The Hungarian nobles revolt, and crave the affistance of the Turks ibid. 1669 The Turks make themselves masters of the inand of Candia 42 Lewis XIV. meditates the conquest of the United Provinces ib. 43 Concludes a secret Treaty with France 44 1670 Mock Treaty intended to conceal the real one 45 Death of the Duchess of Orleans ibid. Rise of the Duche's of Portsmouth 46 The French monarch makes himself master of Lorrain 47 The King of England obtains a large supply from his Parliament ibid. 1671 Still neceffirous, he shuts the Exchequer The Duke of York declares himself a Catholic ibid. Charles II. exercises several acts of arbitrary power 49 1672 Attempt upon the Dutch Smyrna ficet ibid. France and England declare war against Holland 50 Great preparations both by sea and land 51 Defenceless state of the United Provinces ibid. Account of William III. Prince of Orange 52 He is appointed commander in chief of the forces of the re. public 53 De 48 A ibid. 56 57 58 $9 61 63 A.D. Page 1672 De Wit and de Ruyter with ninety-one Dutch ships of war, give battle to the combined fleets of France and England, commanded by D'Eftrees and the Duke of York (May 29.] 54 ibid. Lewis XIV. enters the United Provinces at the head of a great army, and advances to the banks of the Rhine The Prince of Orange declared Stadtholder [July 5.) 60 ibid. 62 The Kings of France and England endeavour to corrupt the young Stadtholder ibid. He rejects all their tempting offers Circumstances that contributed to save the republic of Holland ibid. 1673 Meeting of the English Parliament 64 ibid. Three indecisive engagements between the Dutch fleet, con ducted by De Ruyter and Van Tromp, and the combined ficets of France and England 66 Sprague, the English rear-admiral, drowned in attempting to thift his flag ibid. The Dutch obliged to retreat, in the third engagement, by the valour of Prince Rupert and the Earl of Ollory 67 The French had little share in the action ibid. Lewis XIV. obliged to abandon his conguests in the United Provinces ibid. The Emperor and the King of Spain sign an alliance with the Stares General 68 1674 Peace between England and Holland 69 Charles II. offers his mediation to the contending powers 70 Sir William Temple appointed ambassador from England to the States ibid. His conference with the King before his departure 7, He combats the arbitrary principles of Charles ibidi The King seems to be convinced by his arguments 72 65 |