"Introduction When Charles II was restored to the English throne in 1660, after the death of Oliver Cromwell and the end of the English Interregnum, the States of Holland and West Friesland sent the new monarch valuable presents in hopes of securing his favor. Having ascertained that Charles, like his father before him, was partial to Italian pictures and ancient statuary, the Dutch assembled a collection of twenty-eight paintings and twelve sculptures, which together with a luxurious yacht named Mary, comprised the so-called "Dutch Gift." Although the sovereign "thanked them for so worthy a Present, and express'd his willingness to enter into a neerer Alliance with them," the tribute did little to preserve peace between the two maritime powers, who were back at war several years later"-- Provided by publisher.