Accession of Charles II. and Louis XIV. 90 Followed shortly by general wars 91 French policy formulated by Henry IV. and Richelieu 92 Condition of France in 1660 93 Condition of Spain 94 Condition of the Dutch United Provinces 96 Their commerce and colonies 97 Character of their government 98 Parties in the State 99 Condition of England in 1660 99 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.