He had become aware that the financial policy of the Empire had not been successful; on every side it seemed that new blood and new methods were required.

In financial matters he had little experience or authority; he had to depend on his colleagues and he complained of their unfruitfulness.

Influenced perhaps by his perception of this, under the pretext--a genuine pretext--of ill-health, he asked the Emperor to relieve him of his offices.

The Emperor refused.

"Never," he wrote on the side of the minute.