The knight owned he could not conceive by what means such a number of
licentious people, amounting, with their dependants, to above five
hundred, were restrained within the bounds of any tolerable discipline,
or prevented from making their escape, which they might at any time
accomplish, either by stealth or open violence; as it could not be
supposed that one or two turnkeys, continually employed in opening and
shutting the door, could resist the efforts of a whole multitude.

"Your wonder, good sir," said Mr. Felton, "will vanish, when you consider
it is hardly possible that the multitude should co-operate in the
execution of such a scheme; and that the keeper perfectly well
understands the maxim divide et impera. Many prisoners are restrained by
the dictates of gratitude towards the deputy-marshal, whose friendship
and good offices they have experienced; some no doubt are actuated by
motives of discretion. One party is an effectual check upon the other;
and I am firmly persuaded that there are not ten prisoners within the
place that would make their escape, if the doors were laid open. This is
a step which no man would take, unless his fortune was altogether
desperate; because it would oblige him to leave his country for life, and
expose him to the most imminent risk of being retaken and treated with
the utmost severity. The majority of the prisoners live in the most
lively hope of being released by the assistance of their friends, the
compassion of their creditors, or the favour of the legislature. Some
who are cut off from all these proposals are become naturalised to the
place, knowing they cannot subsist in any other situation. I myself am
one of these. After having resigned all my effects for the benefit of my
creditors, I have been detained these nine years in prison, because one
person refuses to sign my certificate. I have long outlived all my
friends from whom I could expect the least countenance or favour. I am
grown old in confinement, and lay my account with ending my days in jail,