and to the extension of French power.

This resistance took shape upon the land rather than the sea,--a tendency promoted by England's withdrawal from the war.

As early as 1676, Admiral De Ruyter found the force given him unequal to cope with the French alone.

With the eyes of the government fixed on the land frontier, the navy rapidly declined.

In 1688, when William of Orange needed a fleet to convoy him to England, the burgomasters of Amsterdam objected that the navy was incalculably decreased in strength, as well as deprived of its ablest commanders.