In this situation, Charles, moved by an ill-timed frugality, remitted his preparations, and exposed England to one of the greatest affronts which it has ever received.

Two small squadrons alone were equipped, and during a war with such potent and martial enemies, every thing was left almost in the same situation as in times of the most profound tranquillity.
* The Dutch had spent on the war near forty millions of livres a year, about three millions sterling; a much greater sum than had been granted by the English parliament.
D'Estrades, December 24 1665.

January 1, 1666.

Temple, vol.
i.p.71.It was probably the want of money which engaged the king to pay the seamen with tickets; a contrivance which proved so much to their loss.
De Wit protracted the negotiations at Breda, and hastened the naval preparations.

The Dutch fleet appeared in the Thames, under the command of De Ruyter, and threw the English into the utmost consternation.