SEARSON'S POEMS.
The Query of G. C. (Vol. vi., p. 578.) relative to Mrs. Mackey's Poems, has induced me to trouble you with a similar one respecting the author of a volume in my possession. It is entitled Mount Vernon, a Poem, &c. &c., by John Searson, formerly of Philadelphia, Merchant; Philadelphia, printed for the author by Folwell. After the title-page (which is too long to be given in extenso) follows a dedication to General Washington, in which the author, after recording that he last returned to America from Ireland in 1796, and that having been established for several years at Philadelphia as a merchant, he had been subjected to unforeseen losses in trade and merchandize, proceeds as follows:
"Having a pretty good education in my youth, from an uncle, a clergyman of the Church of England, I published two poems in Ireland, was well received, and two publications since my last arrival in America, having disposed of the last copy of one thousand, Art of Contentment, and did myself the honour to visit your Excellency 15th May last [1799], so as to obtain an adequate idea of Mount Vernon, wishing to compose a poem on that beautiful seat, which I now most humbly dedicate to your Excellency, with your likeness," &c.
Next follows a "Preface to the readers of Mount Vernon, a Poem," in which he says:
"I published a rural, romantic, and descriptive poem of Down Hill, the seat of the Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Londonderry, in Ireland; for which the gentlemen of that country actually gave me a guinea per copy, and Sir George Hill, from Dublin, gave me five guineas in the city of Londonderry; more, I am assured, as feeling from my having seen better days, than from the intrinsic value of it."
Besides Mount Vernon, the book contains several other poems, &c., and extends to eighty-three pages, 8vo., with four pages subsequently inserted at the end. It is, I believe, a very scarce book in America, and the copy I possess is probably unique in this country. Like Mrs. Mackey's poems, it seems to have been written in earnest, and it is impossible within the limits of an article of this nature to give an adequate idea of the vein of self-complacency which pervades the book, or of the high estimation in which the author evidently held his own productions both in prose and verse.
A few quotations illustrative of his descriptive powers must suffice:
"Mount Vernon! I have often heard of thee,
And often wish'd thy beauties for to see."—P. 9.
"The house itself is elegant and neat,
And is two stories high, neat and complete."—P. 10.
"A thought now strikes my mind, of Mount Vernon,
That happiness may ever shine thereon;
For, Nature form'd it pleasing to the mind;
Therefore, true earthly bliss we here might find:
Or, in a cottage, if our God be there,
For He is omnipresent, everywhere.
A garden was the first habitation
Of our parents, and near relat'on," (sic) &c.—P. 14.
Of Alexandria he informs us that—
"The buildings here are generally neat,
The streets well pav'd, which makes walking complete.
I've seen their houses, where they preach and pray,
But th' congregation small on stormy day."—P. 38.
Of George Town he says:
"A pleasing rural prospect rises here,
To please th' enquiring mind as we draw near.
The building in George Town is very neat;
But paving of the streets not yet complete.
Some rural seats near to the Town is fine,
Which please the fancy and amuse the mind."—P. 39.
And lastly, from his Valedictory, we learn that—
"Poets, like grasshoppers, sing till they die,
Yet, in this life, some laugh, some sing, some cry."—P. 83.
These extracts are not given as the worst specimens. Is anything more known of John Searson, and of his other valuable productions, either in Ireland or America? As I perceive you have correspondents at Philadelphia, they will perhaps kindly afford me some information on the subject.
Leicestriensis.
[Another work by this author may be found in some of our public libraries, entitled Poems on various
Subjects and different Occasions, chiefly adapted to Rural Entertainment in the United States of America. 8vo. 1797. The Preface to this work also gives some account of Searson's residence in Ireland, where, he says, "I lived happily for fifteen years, till another king (or agent) arose, who knew not Joseph, who, in the most inhuman, cruel, and tyrannical manner, made use of his interest to have me put out of my place." The work concludes with the following advertisement respecting himself:—"Being unemployed at present, should any of my kind subscribers know of any vacancy as tutor in some gentleman's family, a place in some public office, genteel compting-house, or vacancy for a schoolmaster, the author will be grateful for the favour of acquainting him of it. He may be heard of by applying to Mr. Mathew Carey, of Market Street, bookseller.">[