But the
Treaty of Dover, in 1670, brought on the third Dutch war with even
greater shame; for Charles now sold himself to Louis XIV, who thus
bought the Royal Navy for an attack on the Dutch, by which he and
Charles were to benefit at the expense of all the rest. The French and
British fleets, worked by the hidden hands of their two kings, grew
suspicious of each other and failed to win a victory. The Dutch fought
with the courage of despair and came through with the honours of war.
But, worn out by their efforts, and unable to defend themselves by both
land and sea, they soon lost their position as one of the Great Powers,
and have never won it back.
THE MOAT
It may be said now to England, _Martha, Martha_, thou art busy about
many things, but one thing is necessary. To the Question, What shall
we do to be saved in this World? there is no other Answer but this,
Look to your Moat.
The first Article of an _Englishman's_ Political Creed must be, That he
believeth in the Sea. . . . We are in an Island, confined to it by God
Almighty, not as a Penalty but a Grace, and one of the greatest that
can be given to Mankind.
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