In his opinion, God had providentially sent them there to be converted from sin by the power of his ministry.
I cannot say, however, that the divine experiment was attended with much success.

The chaplain frequently told us from the pulpit that he had some very promising cases in the prison, but we never heard that any of them ripened to maturity.

When he informed us of these hopeful apprentices to conversion, I noticed that the prisoners near me eyed him as I fancy the Spanish gypsies eyed George Borrow when they heard him read the Bible.

Their silence was respectful, but there was an eloquent criticism in their squint.
After one of his frequent absences in search of health, Parson Plaford related with great gusto a real case of conversion.

On one particular morning a prisoner was released, who expressed sincere repentance for his sins, and the chaplain's _locum tenens_ had written in the discharge book that he believed it was "a real case of conversion to God." That very morning, I found by comparing notes, also witnessed the release of Mr.Kemp.All the parson-power of Holloway Gaol had failed to shake his Freethought.