"It is always excellent, for what the king takes from his people with one hand, he gives them back with the other, turning it into useful channels, protecting science and art, and so contributing to the general social well-being; in fact, the king adds to general happiness by employing the money drawn from the taxes as his wisdom dictates."
"There is a good deal of truth in what you say. No doubt you know Calsabigi?"
"I ought to know him, sire, for we established the Genoese lottery in Paris together, seven years ago."
"And under what head would you class that tax, if you admit it to be one?"
"It is one, sire, and not one of the least important. It is a good tax, if the king spends the profits in a useful manner."
"But supposing he loses?"
"One chance in fifty, sire."
"Is that the result of an exact calculation?"
"As exact, sire, as all political calculations."
"They are often wrong."