BROOM AND WHIPLASH 3 1 7 



were made to citizens and others. There was a 

 sudden and frantic effort to try and remedy at once 

 the long neglect of the Navy. 



Meanwhile, the triumphant Dutch fleet of 52 vessels 

 was said to be going homewards ; then came the 

 startling news that the enemy were preparing to raid 

 the east coast ports. They did, indeed, on 2nd July, 

 get two or three thousand men ashore at Harwich, 

 near Felixstowe cliffs. They covered the landing 

 of these men, who made a bold appearance with 

 their pikes, their guns keeping up a constant fire at 

 the port. But the result of their attempt on Harwich 

 was far different from their success at Rochester. 

 They met with stubborn opposition, and were driven 

 back to their boats and out to sea. 



Many dismal hearts were cheered by this success, 

 and the people at Harwich were greatly encouraged 

 by the appearance of the Duke of York, who had 

 hurried to the coast. Peace was spoken of, but 

 prematurely, for the triumphant Dutch hovered about 

 the eastern shore and kept the inhabitants in a state 

 of terror. Then they were moved to try and repeat 

 their success in the Medway, and six weeks after their 

 victory at Rochester they reappeared off Chatham. 

 There were several unimportant meetings between 

 the English and the Dutch forces, but the truth was 

 that both nations were weary of the bitter and pro- 

 tracted strife, and it was known that negotiations 

 were continuing in the hope of settling terms of 

 peace. On 26th July it was definitely announced 

 that the two countries had come to terms, and that 

 peace had been concluded; then it seemed as if the 



