General View of the Affairs of Europe, with a particular Account of thofe of England, from the Refloration of Charles II. in 1660, to the Triple Alliance, in 1668. 1660 INTRODUCTORY reflections I 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 Diffolution of the Convention Parliament ibid. The King and his brother the Duke of York, being fecretly Catholics, form the plan of a general toleration Declaration to that purpose ibid. The plan of toleration oppofed by the Parliament, and laid afide ΤΟ ibid. II France and Denmark league with the United Provinces against ibid. After various turns of fortune, the Dutch fleet, under de Ruyter and young Tromp, forced to retreat by the English, com- The rebels routed, and the Prefbyterian prifoners treated with ibid. A.D. 1667 Examples of the arrogance of Lewis XIV. He refufes to pay to England the honours of the flag 34 Feeble administration of Mary Anne of Auftria, 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 progrefs of his arms ibid. 36 1668 Triple Alliance the confequence of that terror France and Spain equally difpleafed at the terms of this league The general View of the Affairs of Europe continued, from the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1668, to the Peace of Nimeguen, in 1678. Preamble Retrospective view of the affairs of Hungary 40 41 The Hungarian nobles revolt, and crave the affiftance of the Turks ibid. 1669 The Turks make themselves mafters of the island of Candia 42 Lewis XIV. meditates the conqueft of the United Provinces ib. Charles II. of England gives up his mind to arbitrary councils Concludes a fecret Treaty with France 1670 Mock Treaty intended to conceal the real one Death of the Duchefs of Orleans Rife of the Duche's of Portsmouth 43 44 45 ibid. 46 47 The French monarch makes himself master of Lorrain ment 1671 Still neceffitous, he fhuts the Exchequer . The Duke of York declares himself a Catholic Charles II. exercises feveral acts of arbitrary power 52 1672 Attempt upon the Dutch Smyrna fleet France and England declare war against Holland Great preparations both by fea and land Defenceless flate of the United Provinces Account of William III. Prince of Orange He is appointed commander in chief of the forces of the re public 53 A.D. Page 1672 De Wit and de Ruyter with ninety-one Dutch fhips of war, give battle to the combined fleets of France and England, commanded by D'Eftrees and the Duke of York [May 29.] 54 Defperate valour of the Earl of Sandwich Furious combat between de Ruyter and the Duke of York 55 The Dutch admiral ultimately compelled to feck fafety in flight ibid. ibid. Lewis XIV. enters the United Provinces at the head of a great Rapid progrefs of the French arms Distracted state of the United Provinces The fluices opened, and the country laid under water Magnanimous behaviour of the Prince of Orange 56 57 58 59 ibid. 60 ibid. 61 62 The Kings of France and England endeavour to corrupt the young Stadtholder He rejects all their tempting offers ibid. 63 Circumstances that contributed to fave the republic of Holland 1673 Meeting of the English Parliament The King's declaration of liberty of confcience ibid. 64 ibid. 65 ibid. Three indecifive engagements between the Dutch fleet, con- ducted by De Ruyter and Van Tromp, and the combined fleets of France and England 66 Sprague, the English rear-admiral, drowned in attempting to fhift his flag ibid. The Dutch obliged to retreat, in the third engagement, by the valour of Prince Rupert and the Earl of Offory 67 The French had little fhare in the action ibid. Lewis XIV. obliged to abandon his conquefts in the United Provinces ibid. The Emperor and the King of Spain fign an alliance with the 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 ibid. His conference with the King before his departure |