Spain had forty-six ships-of-the-line; but from the previous and subsequent performances of the Spanish navy, it may well be doubted if its worth were equal to its numbers.

England at this time had one hundred and thirty ships-of-the-line; four years later she had one hundred and twenty actually in commission.

Of course when a nation allows its inferiority, whether on land or sea, to become as great as that of France now was, it cannot hope for success.
Nevertheless, she obtained advantages at first.

The conquest of Minorca was followed in November of the same year by the acquisition of Corsica.

The republic of Genoa surrendered to France all the fortified harbors of the island.