Mr.Ramsey encouraged him in doing so, for a conversation with anyone and on anything is a welcome break in the monotony of silence.

But when he got books to read there was less need of these interviews, and they soon ceased.

Mr.Ramsey informs me, however, that the chaplain called on him just before he left, and asked whether he could offer any suggestions as to the "system." The old gentleman admitted that he had been operating on prisoners for over twenty years without the least success.
The chaplain often confided to us in his sermons that prisoners came to him pretending they had derived great good from his ministrations, only in order to gain some little privilege.

I learned, also, from casual conversations in the exercise-ground, that the old gentleman had his favorites, who were not always held in the same esteem and affection by their companions.

They were generally regarded as spies and tell-tales, and the men were very cautious of what they said and did in the presence of these elect.