The conviction would be that inevitable necessity had laid down the laws for them, and that a wise use of them would justify them,.

.
.

whereas, if your Majesty puts to hazard an administration on which all the rest depend, it is to be feared that the difficulties will be multiplied with the selections you will be obliged to have recourse to; you will find one day destroy what another set up, and at last there will arrive one when no way will be seen of serving the state but by failing to keep all your Majesty's engagements, and thereby putting an end to all the confidence which the commencement of your reign inspired." The honest zeal of Marshal de Castries for the welfare of the state had inspired him with prophetic views; but royal weakness exhibits sometimes unexpected doggedness.

"As regards M.Necker," answered Louis XVI., "I will tell you frankly that after the manner in which I treated him and that in which he left me, I couldn't think of employing him at all." After some court-intrigues which brought forward names that were not in good odor, that of Foulon, late superintendent of the forces, and of the Archbishop of Toulouse, Lomenie de Brienne, the king sent for M.de Calonne, superintendent of Lille, and intrusted him with the post of comptroller-general.
It was court-influence that carried the day, and, in the court, that of the queen, prompted by her favorite, Madame de Polignac.

Tenderly attached to his wife, who had at last given him a son, Louis XVI., delivered from the predominant influence of M.de Maurepas, was yielding, almost unconsciously, to a new power.