Nevertheless, the melancholy fact is, that the royal coffers are almost getting literally void of coin.

Indeed, apart from all other things this 'invitation to thinkers,' and the great change now at hand are enough to 'arrest the circulation of capital,' and forward only that of pamphlets.

A few thousand gold louis are now all of money or money's worth that remains in the King's Treasury.

With another movement as of desperation, Lomenie invites Necker to come and be Controller of Finances! Necker has other work in view than controlling Finances for Lomenie: with a dry refusal he stands taciturn; awaiting his time.
What shall a desperate Prime Minister do?
He has grasped at the strongbox of the King's Theatre: some Lottery had been set on foot for those sufferers by the hailstorm; in his extreme necessity, Lomenie lays hands even on this.

(Besenval, iii.