Great Britain -- Social conditions -- 19th century -- Fiction
Next morning the new chaplain requested Mr. Lepel to visit the
prisoner's cells in a certain order, and make notes of their characters
as far as he could guess them. He himself visited them in another order
and made his notes. In the evening they compared these. We must be
content with an extract or two.
MR. LEPEL'S. THE NEW CHAPLAIN'S.
Rock, No. 37.-- A very promising 37, Rock.-- Professes penitence.
subject, penitent and resigned. Asked him suddenly what sins
Says, “if the door of the prison weighed most on his conscience.
was left open he would not go No answer. Prepared with an
out.” Has learned 250 texts, and abstract penitence, but no
is learning fifteen a day. particulars: reason obvious.
Mem. With this man speak on any
topic rather than religion at
present. Pray for this
self-deceiver as I would for a
murderer.
Josephs, No. -- An interesting Josephs.-- An amiable boy; seems
boy, ignorant, but apparently out of health and spirits.
well-disposed. In ill health. Says he has been overworked
The surgeon should be consulted and punished for inability. Shall
about him. intercede with the governor for
him.
Mem. Pale and hollow-eyed; pulse
feeble.
Strutt, No. -- Sullen, impenitent Strutt.-- This poor man is in
and brutal. Says it is no use his a state of deep depression. I
learning texts, they won't stay much fear the want of light
in his head. Discontented; wants and air and society is crushing
to go out in the yard. The best him. He is fifty years old.
one can hope for here is that the
punishment, which he finds so Mem. Inquire whether separate
severe, will deter him in future. confinement tries men harder
Says he will never come here after a certain age. Talked
again, but doubts whether he to him; told him stories with
shall get out alive. Gave him all the animation I could.
some tracts. Stayed half an hour with him.
He brightened up a little, and
asked me to come again. Nothing
to be done here at present but
amuse the poor soul.
Mem. Watch him jealously.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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