SEARSON'S POEMS.
(Vol. vii., p. 131.)
John Searson was a merchant in Philadelphia in the year 1766. A few days before seeing the inquiry respecting him, I came across his advertisement in the Pennsylvania Gazette; but not having made a note of the date, I have since been unable to find it. His stock was of a very miscellaneous character, as "Bibles and warming pans," "spelling-books and swords," figured in it in juxtaposition. He taught school at one time in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
A copy of his poem on "Down Hill" is before me; and it is quite as curious a production as the volume of poems which he afterwards published.
He describes himself in the title-page as "Late Master of the Free School in Colerain, and formerly of New York, Merchant." The volume was printed in 1794 by subscription at Colerain.
The work is introduced by "A Poem, being a Cursory View of Belfast Town," thus commencing:
"With pleasure I view the Town of Belfast,
Where many dear friends their lots have been cast:
The Buildings are neat, the Town very clean,