I just received the following comment from Eve Chaillat of the
Le Ludion Organ Co. in Toulouse, France.

Vincent Morgan, New York City

 - - -

Regarding the report about the barrel organ in Paris, be assured that,
in this era with a wide range of beggars, it is not easy to go down
on the street and play the organ.  Obviously it is necessary to get
a license.  Some grinders try to get an agreement with a cafe.

As in the past, all grinders must wear a special metal plate, as a
beggar's license; we show that on our web site www.Musique-Mecanique.com
and also the "ordonnance" dated Paris, 4 July 1816, which explains that
too many people play organs in the street and sing seditious songs.
For that reason, the government tries to control them and authorize
only well-known tunes or themes from the up-to-date theater shows.

Eve Chaillat
Le Ludion
Toulouse
http://www.Musique-Mecanique.com/
http://www.LeLudion.com/

 [ At http://www.musique-mecanique.com/pag_musee/autorisation.htm
 [ (translation by Robbie):
 [
 [   PREFECTURE OF POLICE
 [   ORDINANCE
 [   Concerning Players of Organs in Streets and Public Places
 [   Paris, July 4, 1816.
 [
 [   WE, THE MINISTRY OF STATE, PREFECT OF POLICE,
 [   In consideration that the number of Organ Players, in the streets
 [   and public places, have increased considerably within the province
 [   of the Prefecture of Police:
 [
 [   That those who exercise this profession often give rise to
 [   complaints, either because of the ribald songs that they sometimes
 [   take the liberty to sing, or because of embarrassments that they
 [   cause in streets and places where they station themselves; That
 [   for lack of comfortable means to recognize those who cause these
 [   complaints, the guilty can only with difficulty be repressed. ...
 [
 [ I am impressed that the phrases of the Paris ordinance of 200 years
 [ ago are very much like today's English declarations.  Ah, oui!  It's
 [ the influence of the law court and lawyers!  ;-)  -- Robbie