In 1692 Namur had been taken in sight of the allied army; and this calamity had been speedily followed by the defeat of Steinkirk.

In 1693 the battle of Landen had been lost; and Charleroy had submitted to the conqueror.

At length in 1694 the tide had begun to turn.

The French arms had made no progress.

What had been gained by the allies was indeed not much; but the smallest gain was welcome to those whom a long run of evil fortune had discouraged.
In England, the general opinion was that, notwithstanding the disaster in Camaret Bay, the war was on the whole proceeding satisfactorily both by land and by sea.