Customs are often more cruel than laws.

Customs are the deeds of men, but laws are the judgment of a nation.

Customs in which there is often no judgment are stronger than laws.
Crowds surrounded the courtroom; the president was obliged to station squads of soldiers to guard the doors.

The audience, standing below the bar, was so crowded that persons suffocated.

Monsieur de Grandville, defending Michu, Bordin, defending the Simeuse brothers, and a lawyer of Troyes who appeared for the d'Hauteserres, were in their seats before the opening of the court; their faces wore a look of confidence.