After relating the consternation which the English caused in the Dutch ranks as well by their gunnery as their refusal to board, he goes on to say, 'It is certain that the Dutch in this fight (by the relation and acknowledgment of Tromp's own express sent hither, with whom I spoke) showed very great fear and were in very great confusion, and the English he says fought in excellent order.'[6] Again, for the next battle--that of the Texel--fought on July 31 in the same year, we have the statement of Hoste's informant, who was present as a spectator, that at the opening of the action the English, but not the Dutch, were formed in a single line close-hauled.

'Le 7 Aoust' [_i.e._ N.S.], the French gentleman says, 'je decouvris l'armee de l'amiral composee de plus de cent vaisseaux de guerre.

Elle etait rangee en trois escadrons et elle faisoit vent-arriere pour aller tomber sur les Anglois, qu'elle rencontra le meme jour a peu pres en pareil nombre rangez _[sic]_ sur une ligne qui tenoit plus de quatre lieues Nord-Nord-Est et Sud-Sud-Ouest, le vent etant Nord-Ouest.

Le 8 et le 9 se passerent en des escarmouches, mais le 10 on en _[sic]_ vint a une bataille decisive.

Les Anglois avoient essaie de gagner le vent: mais l'amiral Tromp en aiant toujours conserve l'avantage, et l'etant range sur une ligne parallele a celle des Anglois arriva sur eux,' &c.