P. 379: “Some Frenchmen, among whom was M. Ollivier, have assisted the present king in the formation of a respectable navy. He has himself, like Peter the Great, studied the art of ship-building by causing an European vessel to be taken to pieces under his eyes. This prince has been seen directing the manoeuvres of 1200 galleys, a hundred of which carried from sixteen to twenty-four large guns. But when he got the better of all his enemies, he allowed this branch of his force, which is so essential and so well adapted to the local situation of his dominions, to fall into neglect”.
Source
Conrad Malte Brun. Universal Geography, Or, a Description of All Parts of the World, of a new plan etc. Edinburg/London, 1822
