The war went on; and the czar, seeing the exhaustion of Sweden, purposed its entire subjugation.

This destruction of the balance of power in the Baltic, making it a Russian lake, suited neither England nor France; especially the former, whose sea power both for peace and war depended upon the naval stores chiefly drawn from those regions.

The two western kingdoms interfered, both by diplomacy, while England besides sent her fleet.

Denmark, which was also at war with her traditional enemy Sweden, readily yielded; but Peter the Great chafed heavily under the implied coercion, until at last orders were sent to the English admiral to join his fleet to that of the Swedes and repeat in the Baltic the history of Cape Passaro.

The czar in alarm withdrew his fleet.