Soon after this Sea Engagement I left the Fleet. And the Parliament, the Winter following, manifesting their Resentments against two of the Plenipotentiaries, _viz. Buckingham_ and _Arlington_, who had been sent over into _Holland_; and expressing, withal, their great Umbrage taken at the prodigious Progress of the _French_ Arms in the _United Provinces_; and warmly remonstrating the inevitable Danger attending _England_ in their Ruin. King _Charles_ from all this, and for want of the expected Supplies, found himself under a Necessity of clapping up a speedy Peace with _Holland_. This Peace leaving those youthful Spirits, that had by the late Naval War been rais'd into a generous Ferment, under a perfect Inactivity at Home; they found themselves, to avoid a Sort of Life that was their Aversion, oblig'd to look out for one more active, and more suitable to their vigorous Tempers Abroad. I must acknowledge my self one of that Number; and therefore in the Year 1674,1 resolv'd to go into _Flanders_, in order to serve as Voluntier in the Army commanded by his Highness the Prince of _Orange_. I took my Passage accordingly at _Dover_ for _Calais_, and so went by way of _Dunkirk_ for _Brussels_. Arriving at which Place, I was inform'd that the Army of the Confederates lay encamp'd not far from _Nivelle_; and under the daily Expectation of an Engagement with the Enemy. This News made me press forward to the Service; for which Purpose I carry'd along with me proper Letters of Recommendation to Sir _Walter Vane_, who was at that time a Major-General. Upon further Enquiry I understood, that a Party of Horse, which was to guard some Waggons that were going to Count _Montery's_ Army, were to set out next Morning; so I got an _Irish_ Priest to introduce me to the Commanding Officer, which he readily oblig'd me in; and they, as I wish'd them, arriv'd in the Camp next day.