Rapin de Thoyras, who, driven by persecution from his country, had taken service in the Dutch army and accompanied the Prince to England, described the spectacle, many years later, as the most magnificent and affecting that was ever seen by human eyes.

At sunset the armament was off Beachy Head.
Then the lights were kindled.

The sea was in a blaze for many miles.

But the eyes of all the steersmen were fixed throughout the night on three huge lanterns which flamed on the stern of the Brill.

[504] Meanwhile a courier bad been riding post from Dover Castle to Whitehall with news that the Dutch had passed the Straits and were steering westward.