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500
ACT Math Questions
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Also in McGraw Hill 500 Questions Series
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500 ACT Science Questions to know by test day, Third Edition
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5 Steps to a 5: 500 AP Biology Questions to know by test day, Third Edition
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Copyright © 2022, 2018, 2014 by McGraw Hill. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the
United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed
in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written
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or cause whatsoever whether such claim or cause arises in contract, tort or otherwise.
CONTENTS

Introduction vii
Diagnostic Quiz 1
Questions 1–20

Chapter 1 Integrating Essential Skills: Rates, Percentages, and


Proportional Relationships 17
Questions 1–70

Chapter 2 Integrating Essential Skills: Basic Geometry 39


Questions 71–140

Chapter 3 Integrating Essential Skills: Average, Median,


and Expressing Numbers in Different Ways 67
Questions 141–200

Chapter 4 Preparing for Higher Math: Number and Quantity 83


Questions 201–250

Chapter 5 Preparing for Higher Math: Algebra 99


Questions 251–320

Chapter 6 Preparing for Higher Math: Functions 117


Questions 321–385

Chapter 7 Preparing for Higher Math: Geometry 137


Questions 386–450

Chapter 8 Preparing for Higher Math: Statistics


and Probability 163
Questions 451–500

Answers 181

‹ v

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INTRODUC TION

Congratulations! You’ve taken a big step toward ACT success by purchasing


McGraw Hill 500 ACT Math Questions to know by test day. We are here to help
you take the next step and score high on your ACT exam so you can get into the
college or university of your choice!
This book gives you 500 ACT-style multiple-choice questions that cover all
the most essential math material. Each question is clearly explained in the answer
key. The questions will give you valuable independent practice to supplement
your regular textbook and the ground you have already covered in your math
class.
This book and the others in the series were written by expert teachers who
know the ACT inside and out and can identify crucial information as well as the
kinds of questions that are most likely to appear on the exam.
This edition of McGraw Hill 500 ACT Math Questions to know by test day,
reflects the changes in the ACT Math test instituted in 2017 and includes
many new questions. The content is divided into two main categories. The
first category is “Integrating Essential Skills,” which constitutes 40 percent to
43 percent of the test. This category addresses content typically learned before
eighth grade including basic geometry, proportions, rates, and expression of
numbers in different ways. The second category is “Preparing for Higher Math,”
which constitutes 57 percent to 60 percent of the test. This category addresses
content typically learned in high school, including algebra, number and
quantity, functions, advanced geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and probability.
Overlapping both these categories are mathematical modeling problems that
involve producing, interpreting, understanding, evaluating, and improving
models. Modeling problems in this book are identified with the MODELING icon after
the problem number.
You might be the kind of student who needs to study extra a few weeks
before the exam for a final review. Or you might be the kind of student who
puts off preparing until the last minute before the exam. No matter what your
preparation style, you will benefit from reviewing these 500 questions, which
closely parallel the content, format, and degree of difficulty of the math questions
on the actual ACT exam. These questions and the explanations in the answer key
are the ideal last-minute study tool for those final weeks before the test.
If you practice with all the questions and answers in this book, we are certain
you will build the skills and confidence needed to excel on the ACT. Good luck!

—The Editors of McGraw Hill

‹ vii

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McGraw Hill

500
ACT Math Questions
to know by test day

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Diagnostic Quiz

‹ 1

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GE T TING STARTED:
THE DIAGNOSTIC QUIZ

The following questions refer to different units in this book. These questions will
help you test your understanding of the concepts tested on the ACT exam by
giving you an idea of where you need to focus your attention as you prepare. For
each question, simply circle the letter of your choice. Once you are done with the
exam, check your work against the given answers, which also indicate where you
can find the corresponding material in the book.
Good luck!

‹ 3

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Another Random Document on
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To prevent a recurrence of circumstances so little honourable to
the french name, a decree was at last past, for clearing away all the
monuments erected in the Pantheon, excepting those of Voltaire and
Rousseau. These I determined to visit. We accordingly descended
into the vaults, which are neat, clean, well lighted, stone apartments,
where we found the tombs of these celebrated men. On that of
Rousseau only the following words are written:

“Ici répose l’homme de la nature et de la vérité[56];” and a


hand with a torch rises from the tomb, with this inscription, “il
éclairit le monde même du tombeau[57].”
On the monument of Voltaire, the following epitaph is
written on one side.
“Aux manes de Voltaire,
L’Assemblée nationale
A décrétée le 30 mai, 1791,
Qu’il avoit mérité les honneurs
Dûs aux grandes hommes[58].”
On the second side.
“Poet, historien, philosophe,
Il aggrandit l’esprit humain,
Et l’apprit, qu’il devoit être libre[59].”
On the third side.
“Il défendit Calas,
Serven,
De la Barre et Mont Bally[60].”
On the fourth side.
“Il combattit les athées
Et les fanatiques.
Il inspira la tolérance.
Il réclama les droits de l’homme,
Contre le monstre de la féodalité[61].”
The bones of these distinguished men are in the tombs, which I
have described. Rousseau was removed from the garden of
Ermenonville, where his shade reposed in its favourite retreat, under
the auspices of friendship; and the heart of Voltaire, which had
remained for some years, as he desired, among those whom he
loved at Ferney, was dragged from its former resting place to this
more splendid, but less tranquil sepulchre.
I am, &c.
LETTER XXIII.
Concordat with the Pope ratified by the legislative body after an eloquent
speech by Lucien Bonaparte.—Madame Bonaparte’s first drawing
room.—Appearance of Dehayes at the opera, after a long absence.

Paris, april the 10th, 1802, (20 germinal.)

my dear sir,
On thursday last, the legislative body, after a speech from Lucien
Bonaparte, brother of the consul; who, as orator of the tribunate,
very eloquently defended this favourite measure of government;
ratified and approved the concordat with the Pope, by a large
majority. The reestablishment of religion is therefore determined. I
was not present on the occasion; but persons capable of judging,
assure me, that Lucien’s delivery was remarkably good; and that his
speech was the finest heard in France, since the time of Mirabeau.
As it will, of course, appear in the Moniteur, I shall not attempt to
copy any of those imperfect statements which are, already, handed
about.
Madame Bonaparte held, the same day, for the first time, a kind of
court: that is to say, a card, being previously sent round by the
prefect of the palace, who answers to our master of the ceremonies,
saying, that madame Bonaparte would, at three o’clock, receive the
wives of foreign ministers; and “des étrangers de marque,” such
ladies as wished to be presented, accompanied their respective
ambassadors, at the appointed time, to the palace of the Thuilleries.
As Mrs. ⸺ was of the number, you may depend on the account,
which I shall now send you. The ladies were not in hoops or lappets;
but were, in other respects, as much dressed as they would have
been at St. James’s. They were received by the wife of the préfect
du palais, in the apartments appropriate to madame Bonaparte. She
and the first consul, soon after appeared. A circle was then formed,
and the consul walked round. In passing, he spoke to each lady with
much politeness. Madame Bonaparte went through the same
ceremony; and at last, seated herself, desiring her guests to follow
her example. She talked again to those, who happened to be near
her; and, after an interval of a few minutes, she rose, courtesied,
thanked the ladies for the honour they had done her, and then
retired. I understood that she behaved with great propriety. Her
manners were simple, easy, and unaffected. She was polite to every
one; and particularly civil to the english. Her apartments, on the
ground floor, looking on the Thuilleries, are not large; but they are
furnished with elegance, and considerable taste. Her footmen were
splendidly dressed in green liveries, laced with gold; and they, as
well as the “valets de chambre,” who waited in the antichamber,
were particularly civil, respectful, and attentive. There were no
foreign men present, excepting the ambassadors, and the prince of
Orange; but it is understood, that she will soon have a drawing-room,
for the purpose of receiving such strangers, as are desirous of being
introduced.
I shall conclude this letter, with a short account of the opera, from
which I am just returned. The house was uncommonly crowded, on
account of the first appearance this season, of the dancer Dehayes.
This favourite performer, having been absent more than a year, in
consequence of a fall, which rendered him incapable, during that
time, of pursuing his profession, was received with every possible
honour. A ballet, called “le Retour de Zéphyr[62],” was composed on
the occasion; and the light and gentle Zephyr was welcomed with
loud and repeated applauses. His strength is not quite restored; but
it is easy to see, that he is no mean proficient in the art of dancing.
His steps are perfect, and perhaps not inferior to those of Vestris; but
in point of grace, the comparison is infinitely in favour of the latter.
It is said, that Dehayes was convicted, during the time of
Robespierre, of an attempt to emigrate to England. He was
condemned to the guillotine; but afterwards pardoned, on condition
of dancing, during the whole of one season, without fee or reward,
before “le peuple souverain.” The agility, therefore, of a dancer,
obtained that mercy, which was refused to the innocence of youth, to
the gray hairs of age, to the purity of virtue, to the charms of beauty,
and to the dignity of talent. After this example of the power it
possesses, the art of dancing ought certainly to be ranked, in
France, if not in other countries, among the liberal and useful
sciences.
I am, &c.
LETTER XXIV.
Versailles.—St. Cloud.—Sèvre.—Petit Trianon.—Specimen of an
extravagant bill.—Curious trial.—St. Germain.—Malmaison.—
Waterworks of Marly.

Paris, april 13th, 1802 (24 germinal).

my dear sir,
I went yesterday, with a small party of english friends, to Versailles,
and am just returned. I sit down now to give you the details of our
little excursion.
We stopped at St. Cloud, which is situate about half way, to view
that favourite palace of the unfortunate Lewis XVI, which will long be
celebrated in history, on account of the extraordinary meeting held
there by the council of five hundred, in the orangerie, or green
house, which ended in the establishment of the present consular
government.
St. Cloud is undergoing a thorough repair, previously to its being
inhabited by Bonaparte. It is difficult, therefore, to form a proper
estimate, either of what it formerly was, or of what it may become. I
do not suppose it ever could have been on a very large scale. The
gallery, which still remains, is a fine room, and the view is extensive
from the large window, by which it is terminated. The walls are
ornamented with some excellent paintings (I believe) by “le Brun.”
The chapel is now in a state of disorder, and I did not examine the
pictures which it contains. The garden has been neglected, and can
never have been either very extensive, or very beautiful. Formal
walks, and regular rows of trees, constitute all its merit. As to the
famous jets d’eau, or cascades, they are still in high preservation;
and the Parisians, on a particular day in every year, come here, in
splendid procession, to enjoy this favourite sight. I only saw
unmoved stone dragons, Neptunes, frogs, swans, and griffons, from
whose mouths these artificial waterfalls are vomited. In this state, at
least, a jet d’eau forms but a disagreeable ornament in a garden,
which ought to unite every beauty of nature, and to disdain every
other.
The next object to St. Cloud, which attracted our attention, was the
famous manufactory of Sèvre. The beautiful porcelain, which bears
the name of this town, continues to be made here, under the
immediate protection of the government. We visited the shop, or
magazin, and were shown the several rooms of which it consists. In
all of these were tables, covered with specimens of china made
here, but I cannot say that they answered my expectation. They
were neither as various, nor as splendid, as one should suppose
they would be, at the principal dépôt of so renowned a manufactory.
Probably, the situation in which France has been during the
revolution, did not afford a sufficient number of purchasers, to induce
the managers to keep by them any considerable quantity of
expensive articles. There were several busts of Bonaparte in
different sizes, all of which were strikingly resembling. There were
also great and small busts of Voltaire, Franklin, and Rousseau.
Going thence to Versailles, we drove to Rambrand’s, which is
esteemed the principal hotel; but finding, on our arrival, that the best
rooms were engaged, we changed our plan, and proceeded to le
Petit Trianon in the park, which, formerly the much loved retreat of
Marie Antoinette, has, in the strange metamorphosis things as well
as men have experienced in France, become a common inn.
Having ordered dinner to be prepared in a small room, once
celebrated as the luxurious boudoir of the ill fated queen, we
proceeded to view the curiosities of Versailles. The park has lost
some trees, and has been neglected. In other respects, it is not
much altered. The orangerie[63] still retains, unimpaired, all its
beauty. We walked through long avenues of orange trees, all of
which are in high health and rich foliage. The gardener assured us,
that some of those which were of very large dimensions, had been
planted in the reign of Francis I.
We next visited the private library of the former kings of France,
situate in a separate house in the town. There is nothing very
particular in the building; but there were, above the several doors of
the library, extremely pretty paintings of the different capitals of
Europe. We were here shown a very beautiful collection of
illuminated paintings, representing the splendid fête and
tournaments given by the magnificent Lewis XIV.
Thence our guide wished to take us to the national manufactory of
fire arms, which is carried on with great activity in this town; but
having seen many acknowledgedly superior works of the same kind
in England, we declined visiting it, and proceeded at once to the
palace. This superb building has not suffered at all during the
revolution; though, from being neglected and uninhabited, it has
contracted a kind of gloom, which forcibly recals the misfortunes of
its last possessors, and the uncertainty of human grandeur. The
magnificent furniture, which the apartments once contained, has
been removed; but the walls are not without ornament, for the palace
having been made (probably with the view of preserving it from
popular violence) a musée central, or dépôt of the works of art, now
possesses several valuable pictures, and a few excellent statues.
Among the former, I remarked some good Claude Loraines, and two
beautiful portraits by Vincent. The subject of one was Henry IV of
France; and the other, that of the celebrated president, Molé. The
latter is painted in his parliamentary robes, heroically exposing his
breast to the violence of the mob, and doing his duty, unmoved by
the poniards raised against him. You seem to hear him exclaim, as
history records he did, “La distance est grande de la main d’un
assassin au cœur d’un honnête homme[64].”
We walked through the vast suite of rooms, which, once the seat
of gayety, splendour, luxury, and royal magnificence, are now the
abode of solitude, and the monument of fallen grandeur.
It is unnecessary to state the many reflections which this spot
created. We failed not to visit the apartment which the unfortunate
Lewis XVI occupied on the 6th of october, and in which Marie
Antoinette took refuge. We were also shown the balcony window
(now stopped up), where that virtuous and ill fated princess,
madame Elizabeth, with a magnanimity truly heroic, presented
herself, when the queen was called for, and being taken for her,
voluntarily subjected herself to all the brutal violence of an irritated
mob.
We likewise saw the opera house, built for the wedding of Lewis
XVI, when dauphin, and which, during the last reign, was sometimes
used as a theatre, and sometimes as a ball room. The apartment is
still perfect, but the scenes and decorations have been removed.
On leaving the palace, we visited several jets d’eau; but were
prevented from viewing the garden as particularly as we could have
wished, a violent shower of rain having overtaken us.
The waterworks and pleasure grounds appear to have been much
neglected.
We dined at the Little Trianon, and slept there. The room, which
fell to my share, was that which the unhappy Lewis formerly
occupied, and the key of the door had attached to it a label, on which
could still be discovered, though half effaced, the words,
“appartement du roi[65].”
In calling for our bill this morning, we found that this little inn (ci-
devant a royal residence) had two proprietors, one of whom lets the
apartments, and the other supplies the table in the character of
“traiteur.” With the charges of the latter we had no fault to find; but
the demand of the former was so ridiculously exorbitant, that have
kept the bill as a curiosity, of which I add the copy.

Petit Trianon logement[66].

Francs.
Trois appartemens de maître 36
Bougie 6
Bois 9
Quatre lits de domestique 12
Total 63

By way of reconciling us to this extravagant charge, the mistress


of the house sent her daughter to us, a very pretty girl, with the bill.
Our gallantry, however, did not subdue our reason, and we
determined to resist the demand. Our hostess having indignantly
refused the half, which we offered as amply sufficient, Mr. ⸺ and I
proceeded to Versailles, in pursuit of a juge de paix. After being sent
to two or three justices, who told us, that it was not within their
jurisdiction, we at last, in a miserable lodging, and at an obscure
house, found the magistrate of the division. His dress and his
appearance were not superiour to his residence, and from these
united circumstances, we were far from expecting that justice which,
in the result, we experienced.
Having heard our case, he granted a citation, requiring the
attendance of the landlord; and, of course, suspended his decision
till the arrival of the other party. While our servant, who carried the
summons, went to execute it, we were present at a curious trial, the
subject of which was a small quantity, I believe a quart, of vinegar.
The defendant was a coarse masculine woman, at least sixty years
of age, who, when she had exhausted all her fund of eloquence,
burst into tears, and talked of the weak unprotected stare of an
unhappy widow. The plaintiff was a dirty ill looking fellow, with a
witness of no better appearance. They all talked together; and the
justice, instead of being able to moderate their violence, found it
difficult to gain a hearing himself. After a wrangle of an hour, and
after swearing and counterswearing to the same fact, they went
away, without the business being finally settled.
What entertained me much, was, that these disputants, in the
middle of their harangues, turned round to my friend and me, and
seemed anxious, each in his turn, to convince us, by their
eloquence, of the justice of their respective cases; though we were
not only strangers to the business, but also to the laws on which this
important question was to be decided.
When our good landlady arrived, her bill was produced; and the
justice having declared how exorbitant he thought it, she justified
herself on three grounds.
1st. That we had not made a previous agreement; and ergo, that
she had a right to demand whatever she pleased.
2dly. That she paid a great rent “à la nation[67];” and that,
therefore, “la nation” ought to permit her to make her guests pay a
great rent for their lodgings.
3dly. That “l’ambassadeur de l’empereur Russe[68],” having lodged
at her house only a week before, and not having objected to a
charge of two louis per bed, “les milords anglois” ought to think her
present demand extremely reasonable.
Notwithstanding this very able defence, the justice told her, that
the law would not allow her d’écorcher les étrangers[69]; and very
equitably decreed, that we should pay 36 instead of 63 francs.
Madame received, very indignantly, the sum allotted her, and went
away in a rage, declaring that, in future, no person should sleep at le
petit Trianon, who would not bind himself before hand to pay the
price which “son excellence l’ambassadeur de toutes les Russies”
thought so reasonable.
So concluded our trial, which I have detailed as characteristic of
what is to be expected at inns in France, if prior arrangements be not
made by travellers; and likewise as an honourable proof, that justice,
though not clad in ermine, is fairly administered. In going away, I was
not a little surprised to find, that there were no costs to pay, and that
even the summons had been issued gratuitously.
In England, where we possess so admirable a system of laws,
how much are its advantages diminished, by the expenses attendant
on every process! for, as a distinguished public man once well
observed, though the temple of justice be open to all, it is like the
London tavern, only the favourites of fortune dare approach its
threshold.
In returning to our inn, we passed by the royal stables, which are
still kept up, and filled with horses. These are now appropriated to
the use of the officers of the army, who come here to be instructed in
the menage, and who employ, for this purpose, the quondam riding
school of the king. The horses appeared, at least to an english eye,
very indifferent. We also saw here some arabians, lately arrived from
Egypt. They are extremely plain, lanky, and awkward; but the groom
assured us, on being asked if they were swift, “Oui, monsieur,
comme les oiseaux.” (“Yes, sir, as swift as birds.”) It was in vain to
object to outward form, when we learnt that these animals had the
talent of flying. If, according to the old jockey phrase, “no good horse
can have a bad colour,” certainly no horse who flies can be ugly.
Before we left Versailles, we visited the garden of le petit Trianon,
which is rented by our honest landlady, and which may be seen, by
paying a small sum for a ticket at the gate. It is kept in tolerable
order, and has still strong marks of that good taste, with which it was
originally made. It is really, and not nominally, an english garden; and
would, even in our happy island, be deemed as prettily laid out, as
the smallness of its extent would permit.
The little theatre, built by the queen, situate within the precincts of
these grounds, is still in existence, and has suffered no loss,
excepting that of the beautiful glasses with which the boxes were
once splendidly illuminated. The last object, to which we were led at
Versailles, was “le grand Trianon,” that favourite spot of Lewis XVI.
This elegant building is also unhurt; and the fine marble pillars, which
form the entrance, excited all our admiration. The poverty, into which
the inhabitants of the town have fallen, in consequence of the
revolution, is strikingly apparent. In every corner, we were
surrounded by half-starved and half-naked beggars, whose
importunities were not a little troublesome.
In returning to Paris, we took the road of St. Germain. The old
castle still remains; but its outward appearance was so gloomy, that
we felt no inclination to visit the interiour. If the french monarch
intended to pay a compliment to the pretender, in giving him a palace
as nearly as possible resembling St. James’s, his choice was
admirable. The view from the terrace is pretty, but by no means
either as extensive, nor as rich, as I expected from its celebrity.
In continuing our road, we saw the celebrated waterworks of
Marly, which are preserved in all their perfection. We likewise passed
by the famous aqueduct, and by Malmaison, the private seat of the
first consul. The latter has nothing very particular to distinguish it. It
is simply a moderately sized house, situate near the river, but so low,
that it cannot command a very extensive prospect. I hear, the
grounds are well laid out, and that the furniture of the house unites
every thing which taste could order, or luxury afford. We reached
Paris about six o’clock; and my first employment, after dinner, has
been to write you this account, as I know that Versailles, and its
neighbourhood, are among the number of objects, about which
english curiosity is excited.
I am, &c.
LETTER XXV.
Long Champ, account of that annual promenade, date of its origin, and of
the great preparations made this year for attending it.—The bustle,
and gayety which it produced at Paris.

Paris, april the 16th, 1802, (27 germinal).

my dear sir,
All Paris has been alive for the last three days. Can you guess the
reason? Perhaps you will imagine, that the inhabitants, roused from
the state of lethargy, into which they have for some time back been
plunged, are beginning to give sincere but tardy marks of joy, at the
reestablishment of internal order, and external peace. Not at all, my
good friend. A subject, much more interesting to the parisians, is the
cause of the show and gayety so generally exhibited. Know, then,
that “Long Champ” has begun! I must now, like other learned
commentators, explain my explanation.
“Long Champ” is the name of a village, situate on the other side of
the “Bois de Boulogne,” of which latter place I spoke to you in a
former letter. In this village stood an abbey, or church; and one of the
holy fathers, some hundred years ago, had a voice of such
extraordinary sweetness, that, when high mass was performed,
crowds of Parisians flocked to hear him. His popularity was not
confined to the lower class, and the noblesse shared the curiosity of
the public. The fashion of going to Long Champ so rapidly increased,
that, in a short time, it was no uncommon thing to see whole strings
of splendid carriages at the door of the convent. The road to this
village became the favourite ride, and vanity soon discovered, that it
afforded an excellent opportunity of displaying all the varieties of
dress, and all the pomp of equipage. In the course of a few years, it
became an established custom, at this particular period of the year,
to make, during three days, not an humble pilgrimage, but a splendid
procession, to Long Champ. The mass and the singer were soon
forgotten; but the promenade continued, and increased every year in
the magnificence of parade. To appear, on this occasion, with
becoming grandeur, the haughty, but often distressed noble, would,
for months beforehand, deprive himself of his ordinary comforts. To
rival “les dames de bonne compagnie[70]” in richness of dress, in
show of equipage, and blaze of diamonds, was the grand object of
the admired belles of the opera house; and the means of doing so,
was the exacted price of those smiles, which the well beneficed
prelate, or the wealthy financier, were sometimes permitted to enjoy.
The Bourgeois and their wives appeared in their humble cabriolets,
but the former wore their Sunday apparel; and the latter were loaded
with all the tinsel finery, which, during the course of the year, they
had been able to collect. The common people, or la canaille (as they
were then indignantly called), were equally fond of this procession;
and, at the risk of being run over, crowded and completed the show,
some dressed in tattered regimentals, some in faded silk coats, and
ragged embroidered waistcoats, and others with bag-wig’s and
wooden shoes.
Such was the custom during “l’ancien régime.” The amusements
of the french vanished with their old political institutions, and
“horrendum dictu,” Long Champ was long unobserved.
Robespierre, and after him the directors, forbade every thing
which bore the least resemblance to the customs of former times;
but when Bonaparte came into power, the system was instantly
changed, and the people, left to follow their own inclinations, greedily
returned to all their former diversions. “Long Champ” was of the
number; and, since the 18th of brumaire, it has been gradually
recovering its ancient magnificence. This year, from the
reestablishment of peace, and the confluence of foreigners, it was
expected to be finer than ever; and vast preparations have, during
some weeks past, been making. Milliners tortured their fancy to
invent new fashions; mantuamakers passed whole nights without
sleep, in executing the orders which they had received;
coachmakers exerted themselves with all the art of their trade, and
all the vanity of their country, in endeavouring to imitate the carriages
of the english; horses were sent for from every part of the world;
regiments of tailors were employed in making coats for the beaux,
habits for the ladies, and laced jackets for their grooms; strings of
boots were seen dangling on the backs of porters in every quarter of
the town; saddles were as much in requisition, as if a great military
project, by the means of cavalry, had been in agitation; and I have
been confidently assured, that no less than three thousand pair of
leather breeches were ordered on the occasion.
In consequence of these active preparations, and of “Long
Champ” having been, for some weeks back, infinitely more the
subject of conversation than either the peace, or the reestablishment
of religion, I expected, at least, a very brilliant sight. I must say, I was
disappointed. The only thing which pleased me very much, was the
bustle which it produced in the town, and the gayety with which it
animated the faces of the Parisians. For three days, every vehicle in
the shape of a carriage, and every animal which claimed the name of
horse, has been dragged into use, and become part of the
procession. About two o’clock, a military guard was posted at the
beginning of the Champs Elisées, to preserve order, (for nothing
here is done without soldiers); and from that hour, till some time after
sunset, the crowd gradually increased. At three, the line of carriages
reached from “la place de la Concorde” to the “Bois de Boulogne;”
and, of course, there were frequent stoppages, even at the
beginning of the promenade. The road not employed in this manner,
was filled with equestrians of all ranks, and the walk on both sides
was equally thronged with passengers on foot. There were some few
elegant english equipages, well appointed, and others spoiled, by
the shabby appearance of the servants, or the extreme badness of
the horses. The french coachmakers, in one or two instances,
successfully imitated the fashions of London; but, generally
speaking, the attempt only served to prove the vast distance which
exists, between the two countries, in the art of constructing
carriages.
Mixed with “les voitures à l’anglaise, ou véritablement
anglaises[71]” were seen old fashioned berlins, family coaches, and
superannuated cabriolets of all descriptions. Phaetons, gigs,
curricles, and whiskies, completed the procession. Among the
horsemen were seen a few returned emigrants, who had so well
copied the dress of our young men of ton, that they might have been
mistaken for the beaux of Bond street; but the greater number
(malgré their leather breeches and boots, their blue frocks and high
crowned hats) betrayed the forgery, by the preposterous addition of
ear-rings, coloured capes, or pointed toes. The ladies appeared in
every variety of clothing. Some, who ventured to be their own
charioteers, assumed the neat and appropriate dress of an
“amazone,” or habit. Others, decorating, and concealing as little as
possible, the charms of their person, shone in all the brilliance of
their evening apparel. Worked gowns, laced caps, and showy
turbans, were sometimes exhibited from the windows of hackney
coaches; and a dirty buggy had, not unfrequently, the honour of
conveying three or four damsels, whose costume would not have
been unsuited to the first heroine of the stage. It is impossible to
describe, or convey, the faintest idea of the grotesque figures which
appeared on this occasion; and, notwithstanding the trouble and
expense to which so many individuals had exposed themselves, by
the purchase of new carriages, new liveries, new horses, new
dresses, and last, not least, new leather breeches, the whole
appeared to me but a shabby exhibition, dull amusement.
Moving, in slow procession, to the other side of the Bois de
Boulogne, during five or six hours, constituted the whole pleasure of
this vaunted fête. There were certainly some elegant carriages, and
some handsome horses; but the number was too inconsiderable to
make amends for the crowd of those of a contrary description.
Nothing could be more tiresome than sitting in one of these vehicles,
as they were compelled, every instant, to stop, on account of the
lengthened line, which increased every moment. Persons on
horseback were equally ill off, as it required the utmost care to avoid
being driven against the wheels of the carriages; and as for the
pedestrians, they were almost buried in a volley of dust.
Such is the celebrated promenade of Long Champ, which, though
an annual festival, appears to me a wretched and pitiful imitation of
Hyde park on an ordinary sunday. Yet the french are delighted with
their amusement; and in returning this evening, I heard on every
side, “Quel beau spectacle! quelles jolies voitures! quels magnifiques
chevaux! quelle belle parure! Vraiment c’est charmant[72]!”
It is not a little flattering to the vanity of an englishman, to see how
rapidly the french are adopting our fashions; and, notwithstanding
the awkward manner in which they are sometimes copied, yet such
is the general bias, that I entertain no doubt that, in the space of ten
years, (if the peace should last so long), it will become almost
impossible to distinguish, by his dress, a native of France from one
of England.
The ladies of Paris, and those of London, differ, indeed, very
widely in their toilet. Perhaps they might reciprocally improve by
observing each other; and while the former would do right to respect
and imitate the modesty, with which the latter are usually clad, our
fair countrywomen might also, without any injury to their beauty, or
any violation of that delicacy, which is their brightest ornament, adopt
some of that taste, elegance, and fancy, which are often seen in the
dress of a well bred frenchwoman.
Adieu, my dear sir. I am heartily tired of my subject, and fear you
will have been so some time. I therefore take my leave for the
present.
I am, &c.
LETTER XXVI.
Te Deum sung at Notre Dame, in honour of the peace and the
reestablishment of religion.—Military insolence.—Account of the
ceremony.—Illuminations in the evening.—Indifference of the people.

Paris, april the 18th, 1802, Easter Sunday (28 germinal.)

my dear sir,
To day will probably be long remembered in the annals of France, on
account of the promulgation of the law for (“l’établissement des
cultes”) the reestablishment of religion; on account of the definitive
treaty of peace with England, the ratifications of which were
exchanged this morning at the Thuilleries; and of the “Te Deum”
sung at Notre Dame, in honour of these united events.
I wished very much to be present at a ceremony, which was
rendered so particularly interesting by the number of curious
concurring circumstances, too obvious to be detailed. Having no
ticket, I went to the church at six o’clock in the morning, hoping to
make my way, among the crowd, into those places, which were not
appropriated to the constituted authorities. The doors were not open;
and about a hundred persons, who were already arrived, stood
enclosed in a kind of barrier, which seemed to have been put up for
the purpose of preventing too great a press at the first opening of the
gates. I placed myself against this bar, and hoped to gain admittance
in the second division. I was soon followed and surrounded by a
considerable crowd; and, after we had all remained about two hours
in this uncomfortable state, a detachment of soldiers arrived, and
attempted instantly to clear a passage. We were already so
squeezed together, that it was impossible to make room for the
military, without either losing our places, or incurring the danger of
suffocation. When the soldiers perceived that, notwithstanding the
blows which they dealt around them without ceremony, the people
did not immediately make way, they lost all patience; and, not
content with fixing their bayonets, called out for a detachment of
horse. The brandishing of the one, and the fear of the other, soon
dispersed the mob; but not till some had been wounded, and several
severely bruised.
I could not help reflecting, with some degree of indignation, on this
singular scene. In England, under a monarchical form of
government, the military are not allowed to interfere, but in cases of
positive danger, or actual insurrection; and even then under the
orders of a civil magistrate. In France, where the system is called
“republican,” and every man supposed to constitute a part of the
sovereignty, the body of the people, coming quietly to see the first
solemn service of that religion, which is said to be restored in
compliance with their wishes, are driven with blows and military
violence from the doors of that church, in which peace, liberty,
equality, and good order, are about to be celebrated. Perhaps,
indeed, it may be urged, that this was only a necessary precaution of
the police, and that the object of the guard was to prevent that riot
and danger to which the public, not so protected, would have been
exposed. The answer is plain. If it was thought necessary to maintain
order by the assistance of the military power, the sentinels ought to
have been placed the preceding night, or at the dawn of morning. It
was adding insult to cruelty, to permit the people to assemble, and
after the loss of several hours, and the endurance of great fatigue, to
dismiss them in the manner I have described.
It is needless for me to say, that I soon relinquished all hope of
getting into the church, and thought myself happy in being able to
make my escape unhurt from the claws of these heroes.
In going away, I perceived at the window of an adjoining hospital,
nearly opposite the church, some ladies of my acquaintance, who
were so obliging as to offer me a place near them, from which I
might see the procession.
I had scarcely taken this situation, when a ticket for one of the
privileged places in the church was given me by a person, who was
unwilling to risk the difficulties, with which the approach to the doors
seemed attended. After being sent about to different gates, I at last
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