Aggressions of Louis XIV. on Spanish Netherlands 139 Policy of the United Provinces 139 Triple alliance between England, Holland, and Sweden 140 Anger of Louis XIV. 140 Leibnitz proposes to Louis to seize Egypt 141 His memorial 142 Bargaining between Louis XIV. and Charles II. 143 The two kings declare war against the United Provinces 144 Military character of this war 144 Naval strategy of the Dutch 144 Tactical combinations of De Ruyter 145 Inefficiency of Dutch naval administration 145 Battle of Solebay, 1672 146 Tactical comments 147 Effect of the battle on the course of the war 148 Land campaign of the French in Holland 149 Murder of John De Witt, Grand Pensionary of Holland 150 Accession to power of William of Orange 150 Uneasiness among European States 150 Naval battles off Schoneveldt, 1673 151 Naval battle of the Texel, 1673 152 Effect upon the general war 154 Equivocal action of the French fleet 155 General ineffectiveness of maritime coalitions 156 Military character of De Ruyter 157 Coalition against France 158 Peace between England and the United Provinces 158 Sicilian revolt against Spain 159 Battle of Stromboli, 1676 161 Illustration of Clerk's naval tactics 163 De Ruyter killed off Agosta 165 England becomes hostile to France 166 Sufferings of the United Provinces 167 Peace of Nimeguen, 1678 168 Effects of the war on France and Holland 169 Notice of Comte d'Estrées 170 CHAPTER IV. ENGLISH REVOLUTION.--WAR OF THE LEAGUE OF AUGSBURG, 1688-1697.--SEA BATTLES OF BEACHY HEAD AND LA HOUGUE.