While I was waiting in a doctor's office the other day I looked through
the August 2003 edition of National Geographic Magazine and there was
an article on street life in Paris.  The leading photo was of a woman
cranking what they described as a barrel organ.  It was a small street
organ using books.  I didn't recognize the style, but it was different
from any I had seen.

Anyway, she said that if the police were to arrest her, her first
instinct would be to tie herself to the organ so they wouldn't
confiscate it.  She was quoted as that happening to a friend of hers
not long ago.

I wasn't aware that street organs were a problem in Paris.  The article
indicated that the people in the neighborhood welcomed her and opened
their windows to sing along.

Vincent Morgan, New York City