After his death, Mazarin inherited his views and general policy, but not his lofty and martial spirit, and during his rule the newly formed navy disappeared.

When Louis XIV.
took the government into his own hands, in 1661, there were but thirty ships of war, of which only three had as many as sixty guns.

Then began a most astonishing manifestation of the work which can be done by absolute government ably and systematically wielded.

That part of the administration which dealt with trade, manufactures, shipping, and colonies, was given to a man of great practical genius, Colbert, who had served with Richelieu and had drunk in fully his ideas and policy.
He pursued his aims in a spirit thoroughly French.

Everything was to be organized, the spring of everything was in the minister's cabinet.
"To organize producers and merchants as a powerful army, subjected to an active and intelligent guidance, so as to secure an industrial victory for France by order and unity of efforts, and to obtain the best products by imposing on all workmen the processes recognized as best by competent men....