If I recall correctly from an intro college lit class (I don't like Hugo so that's about the extent of my Hugo knowledge) - Hugo was actually in the street during the June Rebellion (I think that's what that particular rebellion was called, but 19th C French history isn't my strong suit either). Anyway, it was small and petered right out but we are still talking about several thousand people. Of course, facing tens of thousands of French troops brought in to quell the thing. Hugo apparently was shaken by the experience even though he was observer not participant.