Hopkins’s conversion came as a surprise to Robert Bridges. Writing to him in September 1866, Hopkins felt prompted to explain why he had not discussed his religious feelings sooner, and, lightening the tone, devised the following caricature of his movement to Rome: You will force me to express again what I wanted you to believe before.— TRUMPERY, MUMMERY, AND G. M. HOPKINS FLUMMERY DESIGNER. REMOVED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WAY1