(Born in Manchester, where he resided nearly all his life, January
20th, 1809; Died at the Isle-of-Man, October 15th, 1859, Æ 50 years.)
I
I often think of thee, dear ROGERSON!
And of the happy hours we spent together,
With sunshine in our hearts whate’er the weather;
Talking of Bards that from the earth were gone,
But whose sweet songs still solace many a soul. 5
For both our minds were steep’d in poësy,
And we had love for that philosophy
Which teaches us our actions to control.
And when I saw thee dire afflictions bear
With Christian resignation, thou to me 10
Set an example how to follow thee
In life’s most trying hours. I can compare
Thee only to the wise in days of old,
And warmly in my memory thee enfold.
II
But though on earth we two no more must meet, 15
In “flow of soul” to pass the fleeting hours,
Loving to linger in the Muses’ bowers,
Reluctant from them ever to retreat,
Yet in thy Works we seem to meet again;
For Rhyme, Romance, and Revelry are there, 20
And sound Philosophy for all the share;
But not one word to cause the virtuous pain,
Or bring a blush of shame on maiden’s cheek:
For we though knew that they who wield the pen
Should seek to elevate their fellow-men,
And make all women kindly, pure, and meek.
Thy life and conversation were the same, 25
And hence through all my years I honour thy dear name.
George Markham Tweddell
"15th. October Saturday
Mr. John Bolton Rogerson died in the Isle of Man, October 15th. He was born at Manchester, January 20, 1809, and was for many years a leading spirit in the literary coteries of the city. He wrote Rhyme, Romance, and Reverie, 1840; A Voice from the Town, 1842; Musings in Many Moods, 1859, and other poetical works. There is a portrait of him in Procter's Literary Reminiscences." From http://www.mancuniensis.info/Chronology/Chronology1859FPX.htm
And here's a link to Rogerson's book on line - Rhyme, Romance and Reverie.
"ROGERSON, JOHN BOLTON (1809–1859), poet, was born at Manchester on 20 Jan. 1809. At the age of thirteen he left school and began work in a mercantile firm, but was afterwards placed with a solicitor. Law being distasteful, he opened in 1834 a bookshop in Manchester, which he carried on until 1841. The next few years were devoted to literary work, and in 1849 he was appointed registrar of the Manchester cemetery at Harpurhey. He was a clever amateur actor, was president for some years of the Manchester Shakespearean Society, and was for a short time on the staff of the Manchester Theatre Royal. In youth he had written a play in three acts, called ‘The Baron of Manchester,’ which was produced at a local theatre. He also lectured on literary and educational subjects.
From early years he was an eager, desultory reader, and soon became a writer of verse, but had enough discretion to destroy most of his juvenile efforts. He first appeared in print in 1826 in the ‘Manchester Guardian,’ and in the following year wrote for the ‘Liverpool Kaleidoscope.’ In 1828 he joined John Hewitt in editing the ‘Phœnix, or Manchester Literary Journal,’ a creditable performance, which lasted only a few months. He was joint-editor of the ‘Falcon, or Journal of Literature,’ Manchester, 1831; and edited the ‘Oddfellows' Magazine’ from 1841 to 1848; the ‘Chaplet, a Poetical Offering for the Lyceum Bazaar,’ 1841, and the ‘Festive Wreath,’ 1842 (both published at Manchester)."
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