ardent follower of O'Connell, and
his "head pacificator." Steele was a gentleman and a Protestant; he had
studied with great success at Cambridge University, and was a proficient
in mathematics. He began life with bright prospects; talents, education,
connections, and property--all were his. He wrecked all in the service
of Ireland, as he believed--in the service of an Irish faction, as the
event proved. Steele burned with indignation at the disabilities of his
Roman Catholic fellow-countrymen, and joined in every exertion to obtain
them justice. He conscientiously believed that Ireland could never
prosper while in connection with England, and he struggled for their
separation. O'Connell and his party had ulterior objects--the ascendancy
of their religion, and the persecution of Protestants; but Steele's
honest nature refused to believe what was so opposed to their
professions, notwithstanding the warnings which he received from many
whose experience of that party, and of Ireland, qualified them to offer
him counsel. He was only undeceived shortly before his death, which took
place at Peel's Coffee House, Fleet Street, London, where he had taken
up his abode in sickness and in poverty, his fortune and his heart
broken. He felt bitterly the desertion of his old confederates, and much
bitter censure has been heaped upon the Irish Catholic and Repeal party,
for thus abandoning the man they had flattered and used when he was
in the heyday of his prosperity. It must be admitted that every one in
Ireland said "poor Tom Steele!" when his sorrows were heard of, and
his death was announced; but none came to the rescue, and few words of
sympathy were afforded to him. It is but just to say that Ireland was
at that time in the throes of a revolutionary struggle, and all were
forgotten who dropped for a moment out of public view. Besides, the
distress of the country spread alarm and grief on every side. These
circumstances will, in great measure, account for the neglect which
Ireland showed to her sinking patriot. But a similar excuse cannot be
offered on behalf of the eminent and wealthy Roman Catholics of England,
of Irish repeal members of parliament, and of other prosperous Irishmen
in England attached to that party. As soon as the distress of the brave
and patriotic man was known to his former opponents, English and Irish,
they literally rushed to his relief, for all believed him to be an
honest man and a pure patriot. Among the