text:  On the eves and on the mornings of holy festivals business was totally suspended; the bells great and small rang forth their silvery sounds; the churches were crowded the chapels glittered with blazing lights; the prayers of the priests and people rose with the incense before the high altar; the solemn organ swelled its full tones responsive to the loud-voiced choir; the curates thundered from the pulpits to the edification of charitable congregations; and after all had been prostrated in solemn adoration of the Divine presence the citizens would pour out into the street and repair some to their homes some to the Palace of the Tournelles with its towers and gardens guarded by the Bastille; others to the Louvre or to the Pre-aux-clercs and the fields by the river side; others would stroll up the hill of Montmartre; and some in boats would brave the dangers of the Seine! On other and sadder occasions the inhabitants of the Rue St Denis would quit their houses in earnestly talking groups and would adjourn to the open space in front of the Halles