cember, Burgoyne had
sailed for home, recalled largely at his own instance, but already under
consideration for the disastrous expedition from Canada. He did not
return to Boston until 1777, when he came as a prisoner. It was when
entering the town that he learned that the townspeople had long memories
for his real or ascribed indignity to the Old South, for when he
remarked to a friend upon the Province House, the headquarters during
the siege, a voice from the crowd reminded him that the riding-school
was close at hand. Since on the same occasion an old lady loudly
beseeched her neighbors to "give the general elbow-room," Boston may be
said to have taken its mild revenge on him.

Theatrical performances, balls, and parties were the amusements of the
officers at this period of the siege, and persons of fashion doubtless
were pleasantly situated. It was not so comfortable for the troops and
their dependents, as we have already seen. The lack of fuel and
consequent depredations on property led to plundering of a different
kind, and petty thievery, which Howe put down with a stern hand. Heavy
floggings were meted out to delinquents, and a wife of one of the
privates was even sentenced to public whipping for receiving stolen
goods. While there were no true horrors at this siege, there was thus
much roughness of conduct among the soldiery, and of this the Whigs were
sure to be the victims. With the example of Leach and Lovell before
their eyes, the wiser among the provincials spoke cannily and walked
softly, and attracted as little attention as possible. But among the
poorer class there was much distress for lack of food and fuel, for even
when the troops had plenty, it was difficult for the patriots to buy.

With their strength somewhat depleted, it was not to be wondered at that
the poorer class was visited by smallpox. The epidemic was a mild one,
and few persons died, but the visitation created great uneasiness. To
lessen his burden, during the winter Howe sent out several companies of
the poorer folk from the town landing them at Point Shirley, with the
certainty that the Americans would care for them. But his action called
down much reproach, and he was accused of sending out persons with the
smallpox, in order to infect the besieging army. It was even charged
that he had purposely inoculated some of the evicted. This, of course,
is not to be believed; but it is curious to find the British at last
taking satisfaction