The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-20 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON,

ELDON'S Bill tending to " the assimilation of cases of a
very different amount of gravity"—a project, in his
opinion, eminently calculated to defeat its own ob-
ject. Whereas, in the present case, a proportional
punishment would be inflicted, and a judicious dis-
tinction drawn among the various classes of offenders.
It was maintained with very considerable acumen by
the Noble and Learned ex-Chancellor, that the only
offences ereated by this Bill were " compassing or
imagining the deposition of the QUEEN, levying war
against the QUEEN, and inviting the invasion
)f the QUEEN'S dominions by a foreign force." Nor,
.aid Lord CAMPBELL, would these three crimes consist
in their open and advised advocacy ; " the crime must
he either compassing or imagining the deposition of
the QUEEN, levying war against the QUEEN, or invit-
ing the invasion of the QUEEN'S dominions by a
foreign power." After this very explicit distinction
it is anything but surprising to hear the Noble and
Learned Lord remark in conclusion that it seemed to
him a fallacy to pronounce the provisions of this Act
an invasion of the rights of the subject. " Whatever
advantages," said he, "prisoners had hitherto enjoyed,
they would still continue to possess." A more em-
phatic and unanimous approval could scarcely have
been pronounced upon a Government measure by
both Chambers of the Legislature than that which
has been uttered in reference to the Bill for the
better security of the Crown and Government. Be-
sides this, the measure received the consecrating voice
of the great legal authorities in the highest Chamber
of the Legislature.

if he saw a reasonable prospect of proceeding with it
he shuuld be glad to introduce it, but he
expressed his unwillingness to introduce ten or
twelve Bills, when only two or three could
be passed. On the subject of the recent evictions in
Ireland, Sir G. GREY stated that a Bill had been
prepared and transmitted to Ireland for the Lord-Lieu-
tenant's consideration, which Bill should be brought
before the House shortly after Easter. The mis-
cellaneous estimates and the Joint-Stock Companies
Bill are to be considered on an early day.
This is an epitome of the proposed Government pro-
ceedings after the Easter recess. It is useless now to
consider their merits, as those merits must depend
chiefly upon how they may be carried out. It, however,
such measures as reform in the practices of elections,
the Health of Towns Bill, and remedial measures for
Ireland be passed in a comprehensive and satisfactory
form, we shall have little cause to complain of the
doings of the session.

There are few persons of any class, shade, or
variety of creed or politics, on either side of St.
George's Channel, who will not receive with deep
regret the painful intelligence contained in another
column of the attempted suicide of the high-minded,
the honest, the unpurchaseable THOMAS STEELE.
The attempt was happily frustrated, and the unfor-
tunate gentleman still survives to receive, we trust,

those expressions of sympathy and friendly solici-
tude that may reconcile him to a prolonged sojourn
in what he has had too much reason to complain of
as a cold-hearted and ungrateful world. Whatever
opinion may have been entertained with respect to the
political views advocated by Mr. STEELE, during a life
of noordinary activity, there can be no question as to the
purity and disinterestedness of his motives, and the
zeal and energy with which he obeyed the dictates
and advanced the objects of his great leader—the
departed Liberator of Ireland—to whom he clung
through the varied scenes of his eventful career with
a desperate fidelity, an unparalleled devotion. Few
men have ever taken so prominent a part in political
strife whose integrity and honour have been less
questioned. THOMAS STEELE never had a personal
enemy, for even his warmest opponent in the turmoils
of party warfare ever recognised his consistency of
character, and acknowledged that he put forward
the honest convictions of his heart.
Mr. STEELE entered life under the most favourable
circumstances. He graduated at Cambridge, having
previously taken high honours both in classics and
science, and he is at present a member of the Senate
of that University; His attainments are such as
would have insured him the highest success in any of
the learned professions, but he was (perhaps unfor-
tunately for himself) possessed of a handsome inde-
pendence, and he was actuated by a spirit of the
most enthusiastic and ardent patriotism. He, there-
fore, dedicated his talents, his life, and his property
to the service of his country, and no man ever
laboured more zealously to redeem the pledge
thus given. Early in life he became acquainted
with the late DANIEL O'CONNELL, and he conceived

The House of Commons, according to custom, has
adjourned for the Easter holidays, and according to
custom nearly half the session has elapsed and consi-
derably less than half the necessary sessional business
has been accomplished. However, the programme
of Lord J. Resszee, announced last night, evinces a
disposition on the part of the Government to make
the best use of the time that yet remains. About
ten weeks hare passed since the Parliamentary
session began. During that brief period most
extraordinary events have occurred in foreign
countries. The whole continent has been con-
vulsed, old monarchies have been crushed and new
republics founded. Nevertheless, as Mr. MACAULAT
happily expressed it, " amidst the commotions which
everywhere surround us—amidst the crash of foreign
thrones—the Constitution of England remains im-
moveable on its basis." During this marvellous
period the House of Commons has pursued its ordi-
nary routine, not perhaps attracting quite so much
of the public attention as is its wont—public atten-
tion being directed elsewhere. One of the first and
most important subjects which occupied Parliament
during this recent half. session was the Jewish Dis-
abilities Bill—that Bill which is so striking an evi-
dence of the liberality and tolerance of the present
day—which has been read a first and second time,
his passed through Committee, and been reported,
and which is now appointed to be read a
third time on Tnursday, the 4th of May. A
measure of a similarly liberal and tolerant character
has not as yet been so fortunate in obtaining the
attention of the House—the adjourned debate on
Mr. ANSTEY'S Catholic Relief Bill is postponed till
the 31st of May. It will be a singularly anomalous,
if not unfair, proceeding. should the Jewish Bill be
accepted by the Legislature, and that the Catholic
Relief , be thrown over till next session, more
especially as the latter is one of a very peculiar
character, relating simply to the expungement of
certain statutes which it is impossible to enforce
Among the most important of the subjects re-
cently considered by the House of Com-
mons the most prominent was,. necessarily
the financial state of the country, and especially the
income-tax. The very lengthened debates upon this
matter were chiefly occasioned by a project of the
Government of increasing the tax two per cent.—a
project which they very judiciously abandoned; and
also by a motion on the part of Mr. Honsmen for
reducing the tax imposed upon precarious incomes—
a most salutary and popular proposition, which was
unfortunately lost by a majority of 175 ; and, lastly,'
the subject of the income-tax was still further
continued before the House by a proposition of Mr.
HUME to continue the tax for one year only—
a proposition which was also lost, and by a
majority of 2t.5. Among those measures'
which have for a time occupied the attention of the
I Legislature, but without any immediate success, on e
of the most important was Mr. E waives motion for
the abolition of the punishment of death, a measure
which that Hon. Member has already repeatedly
brought forward, and which will, without doubt, be
carried at some probably very distant day—a mea-
sure for which we are inclined to think the time is
not yet arrived, it being too advanced even for this
liberal and civilised age ; the motion was on this oc-
casion lost only by a majority of 66. Another im-
portant and very beneficial measure, the only objec-
tion against which is its expensive cha-
racter, was Lord ASHLEY'S proposed Medical Relief—
a measure which, in a more modified form, perhaps,
we trust, the Noble Member for Bath will, at another
time, bring before the consideration of Parliament.
Propositions for alterations in the Irish poor-law have
been repeatedly introduced, but without success ;
and another Irish motion, of a more pretentious
character has just been brought forward by Mr. J.
O'CONNELL, namely, that for repeal of the union.
The most important Irish measures, however, are yet
to come ; and we have the Prime Minister's assur-
ance that they will be very speedily introduced.
Lord DUNCAN'S proposal of a repeal of the window
duties has been lost by a majority of 92 ; and Mr-
BRIGHT'S alteration in the game laws,
owing to some technical regulation of the
llow,e, was unfortunately thrown over for a time.
Inquiries into proceedings at elections have occupied
a considerable portion of public attention, and results
have been elicited such as to prove the existence of a
,cost iniquitious and wide-spread system of corrup-
tion in many constituencies, results which declare the
necessity fur some revision and remedy of the laws
regarding elections. These are among the chief sub-
jects on which parliamentary attention has been en-
gaged during the past tea weeks—and to these we may
add the brief debate on the monster petition, and the
introduction and passing of the Crown and Govern- "Wednesday, April 19, 1848.
merit Security Bill. The greater part of what a Aiy dear -- ---,—You will, I we,
remains to be done in the ensuing portion know, read this letter of your old friend with deep
of the session Lord J. Russell, enumerated last
pain.
evening, On Monday, the Ist of May, the first
t l t
" But, when you contemplate the dreary and
business to be considered will be advances for heart-breaking present aspect of Ireland, and con-
special purposes, namely, a West Indian Loan for
trast it with what it was in its majestic peaceful
the promotion of emigration, and a proposal for ad-
vancing again the money repaid from the ad- movement, under the sublime and benign moral sway
Alien of my ever-deplored friend and leader, august
y
vances to Ireland during the last two ears
Bill is fixed—a Bill which, - • O'Connell, you cannot be surprised that, with a
On the same day the second reading of the Ali
inn uansaszwer toa question complication of private ills upon me at the same time,
from Mr. EWART, Lord J.
be the result of information received"b the
mitted to the ties of life are with me dissevered and in disrup-
,Govern-henh.
merit from several quarters. The Alieny Bill, tion for ever.
" The highest aspirations of my nature were, that
served, was quite opposed to the general policy
served,
I should be O'Connell's principal instrument of
Head Pacificator of Ireland,' in his
to think it necessary under present circumstances— peace, his '
efforts for the peaceful, bloodless regeneration of his
circumstances, however, which he did not think it
own country, and for setting an example to other
advisable to state. The Bill, he added, was to be
realms, as was nobly proved in England by Richard
merely of a temporary character. Thursday, the Cobden and his League, how revolutions may be
4th of May, as we have already said, is appointed for achieved by the consolidated organization of public
shed, and convulsion.
the third reading of the Jewish Disabilities Bill, and opinion, and without the pollution of carnage, blood-
the day following for the Committee on the Alien
Bill, which is to be followed by the Committee on
ceased to live. I am quite weary of existence,
" Before you receive this to-morrow I will have
the Health of Towns Bill, if that Committee cannot although of course, as a matter of manly firmness,
be taken before. On Monday, the 15th of May, the ian private society I deport myself as if I were without
President of the Board of Trade will propose an
amendment of the Navigation-laws; he will at the "I shall manage the matter in such a way that
same time state what course is
there shall be no corse for the ceremonial of a coroner's
with regard to the registration o
inquest and post mortem examination. When a
pfrsoepao seamen
edn
a t o
and
b e t
h tae
k ree. n
gistration of ships, and explain the intentions of thing of this kind must be done, the more quietly and
f h
Government with regard to the alteration of the e
less theatrically it is done the better.
Merchant Seamen's Fund. On the Ist or
2d
"I am, with most grateful feelings for all your
of May i
the Secretary for Ireland is to n- kindness to me for so many years as a private
troduce a Bill with respect to the elective fran-
friend and public journalist,
chise and the polling places of Ireland. Such are "My dear --...,
the intentions of Government as declared by Lord "Affectionately yours—Farewell for ever !
Jour; RUSSELL last evening, and, in answer to various " THOMAS STEELE."
questions of Hon. Members he furthermore expressed ROYlDENCEhashappily prevented the
a hope of being enabled to introducea Bill similar to
Now, that P
catastrophe which a prolongation of anguish had
that intro.iueed lest h •
he had no intentthiOn aving reference to the rate-
paying clauses of year, .
the Irish Churchrendered desirable, it is but right, it is but just,
•' • but generous, and true-hearted, that hu-
about; it is
4oefforirrintr.ot-detu.cinlige andeyelamreedastubraet ,'
cumbered Estates Bill he obser, that it would he :
and with regard 'to the En- 1 .
proceeded with in thea desolation restating
from the abandonne of a ro-
manity should strive; in some measure ,o assuage
STEELE has been rescued
Houseatnidf Commons'with as soon as mantic patriotism. Tom
it had passed the Lords respect to thefromdestruction—his
amendment of the grand jur laws, Erin and the dreams of
Y he stated that 1 thusiasm for the hopes of
heart is still beating with en-

the most profound admiration for that distinguished
patriot. In consequence of that feeling he altered
the name of his ancestral property to which he had
.ucceeded at the death of his uncle, from Cullane
Castle, to " Lough O'Connell," by which name it is
still known. It is not necessary that we should now
relate the part which Mr. STEELE took in the strug-
gles for the emancipation of his Rowan Catholic
brethren, and other liberal and constitutional reforms.
His name is as widely known, his oisaracter as
honourably appreciated, as that of the leader himself,
whose chief follower and " head pacificator" it was
his greatest pride to be accounted. In his struggles
for the advancement of his country, he unforte-
nately to a great degree neglected his private
affairs, and in consequence the estates, from which
he had at one period realised a handsome income of
from 1,8001. to 2,000/. per annum, were thrown
into Chancery, and a receiver appointed through
whom the rents, issues, and profits were paid into
Court. The property being strictly entailed
lould not be sold, otherwise a very considerable
surplus would have remained, which would have
maintained the inheritor in perfect independence.
It was unfortunately otherwise, and, after the legal
costs, expenses, and the other. charges, a small sum
only could be made applicable to his private purposes ;
straitened and harassed, however, as he had been for
some time by pecuniary embarrassments, his spirit
shrunk from accepting the aid that would have been
freely tendered by many when his exigencies be-
came known, and he suffered in silence without per-
mitting his wants to be revealed either to friend
or foe. Such was his condition when two circum-
stances occurred which changed the entire character
of his life, and plunged him into the deepest afllic-
tion. First, the mysterious visitation by which the
food of the greater portion of his countrymen was
blighted, and the greatest destitution and misery
inflicted on 'the Irish people. He saw his beloved
country suffering under all the horrors of famine
and pestilence induced thereby, and he found his own
limited resources almost wholly cut off by the depre-
ciation of every description of Irish property. But
everything was comparativeiy forgotten at the death
of his idolised leader—the man whom he had almost
worshipped as a superior being. From that
moment he retired from public life, and
never again interfered in party conflict. He wit-
nessed with the deepest pain the precepts and coun-
sels of his deceased friend wholly forgotten, and a
wild and sanguinary course recommended by the
would-be leaders. Then, indeed, his spirit sunk
within him, he found himself forgotten, and he de-
spaired for his country. The feelings which prompted
him to the desperate effort may be gathered from the
following letter, which he wrote and posted just
before the moment that he supposed would have been
his last, having ascertained that it could
not reach its destination until this morning. It
will appear therefrom that his heart was racked
by conflicting emotions—deep and bitter regret for
his country—placed as it is in the hands of heartless
and bloodthirsty agitators—and sorrow for his own
trials and sufferings, which his pride forbade him
:o publish or reveal. It will, however, speak for
tself:—