Nevertheless Boston built
a 'stately bonfire,' which made a 'lofty and prodigious
blaze'; while Philadelphia, despite its parasitic Quakers,
had a most elaborate display of fireworks representing
England, Louisbourg, the siege, the capture, the triumph,
and reflected glory generally.
At the inland front, near Lake Champlain, where Abercromby
now went by the opprobrious nickname of 'Mrs Nabbycrumby,'
'The General put out orders that the breastwork should
be lined with troops, and to fire three rounds for joy,
and give thanks to God in a Religious Way.' But the joy
was more whole-hearted among the little, half-forgotten
garrisons of Nova Scotia. At Annapolis no news arrived
till well on in September, when a Boston sloop came
sailing up the bay. Captain Knox, that most industrious
of diarists, records the incident.
Every soul was impatient, yet shy of asking. At length
I called out, 'What news from Louisbourg?' To which
the master simply replied, and with some gravity,
'Nothing strange.
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