Such a regime cannot operate without constant strain, without indefatigable energy, without infallible discernment, without military rigidity, without superior genius; on these conditions alone can one convert twenty-five millions of men into automatons and substitute his own will, lucid throughout, coherent throughout and everywhere present, for the wills of those he abolishes.

Louis XV lets "the good machine" work by itself, while he settles down into apathy.

"They would have it so, they thought it all for the best,"[1436] is his manner of speaking when ministerial measures prove unsuccessful.

"If I were a lieutenant of the police," he would say again, "I would prohibit cabs." In vain is he aware of the machine being dislocated, for he can do nothing and he causes nothing to be done.

In the event of misfortune he has a private reserve, his purse apart.