Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-04-23
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Col. JUAN LEWIS, Novelist.

story from the above author, VINO was then
rising novelist, and last week we gave a
charming and entertaining sketch from his
facile pen. As writer of fiction, Col. Lewis
has gained proud and eminent distinction ;
and his earlier efforts having been given to the
world through the ENQUIRER, we deem a
brief sketch of his life not inappropriate.
Col Lewis is the grandson ola Revolution
ary soldier who migrated from Virginia to
Connecticut at the close of the war for lnde-
pendence; married into one of the old puri-
tan families of that State, and lived to the
ripe age of ninety-hve He was descended
from Huguenot family Of the same name,
who took refuge in Ireland from the persecu.
tions following the assassination of Henry ~
of France, and subsequently came to Virgin
ia, settling in Augusta county. Brig. Gen.
Andrew Lewis, the friend and companion Of
Washington, and the first Ma jor of Washing
tons original regiment, belonged to this fam
lily. Capt. William Lewis, an officer of the
old French war, who fought under Washing
ton at Braddock's defeat, was our author
great grandfather; and it was of his wife, in
later years, that the following is related in the
Virginia Historical Collections, published 1927:
"When the British force, under Tarleton,
drove the legislature from Charlottesville to
Staunton, the stiffness of the Sabbath was
broken by beat of drum and call for voun-
teers to prevent the enemy's passage through
Rockfsh Gap. William Lewis was then at
home, invaided from wounds, and his eldest
sons were absent with the northern army
but the three youngest, aged II, 10 and IL,
we're at home. Mrs. Lewis called them to
her, and with the Grmness of a Roman mat
ron, bade them fly to the defense of the bor-
der. Go, my children, she commanded, L
spare not my youngest nor dearest; l devote
you all to our country Go-keep back the
invader, or see my face no more!"
The same record says that when this incl
dent was related to Washington, he enthusi-
asticaly exclaimed: leave me but banner
to plant upon the mountains, and l will rally
around me the men who will lift our bleeding
country from the dust, and set her free!"
Our author has devoted himself exclusively
to Fictional Literature since 1870. Ten years
previously he had studied law, dividing his
! time between that profession and editing a
literary journal, but finally relinquishing the
former altogether.
He entered the United States army as cap
tain in 1861 served with distinction till 1864; !;
retired with the rank of maj jor, and was bre.
vetted "for gallant and meritorous service" ="
He has been connected with various news.
paper enterprises as publisher, editor, corre-
spondent; and for time edited an independ-
ent daily morning journal, which position he
resigned in 1869, to achieve long g-cheerlshed
design to devote his pen exclusively to general
literature. An eight years engagement as
special contributor on literary weekly was
Immediately offered and accepted at large
salary; but after two years of arduous work,
failing health compelled him to cancel it.
For the last two years he has been chiefly
engaged upon Frank Leslie's publications.
his latest published work being entitled ''Trust
Her Not A Tale of Fashionable Life" This
serial met with the highest encomiums, and
has been brought out in book form by Lon
don publisher. The right Of dramatzing
has been reserved, and it will soon be placed
upon the stage.
Col. Lewis has written many sketches, as
well as novels, which have been pronounced
by the editors of the various journals wherein
! they have appeared as powerful, brilliant,
"intense," "thrilling," and "good"-which
last commendation combines, perhaps, all the
Others and renders unnecessary, if not lmpos-
sible, higher praise
For the information of our lady readers, we
may state that our author is married. His
first wife belonged to an old Knickerbocker
family-was graduate of the classical school
at Geneva, and of Mrs. Wizards celebrated
Young Ladies' Seminary at Troy. She died
suddenly His present wife was born in Rich
mond, Virginia. She belongs to the Taylor
family, and is a lady of great energy and force
of character. Her grandmother was cousin
of Gen. Zachary Taylor, late President of the
United States.
Having no family of their own, our author
and his wife feel at liberty to spend at least
one half of the time in travelling, which they
usually make point Of doing. The expe:
riences thus gathered become Of vast practical
utility to the novelist-not only furnishing
new themes for his pen, but suggesting con-
stantly various forms Of expression, and ad-
ding to old themes the charm of freshness.
Mrs. Lewis, whose first name is Theresa, is
two years younger than her husband has
shining black hair, worn in natural curls !;
brilliant eyes Of the same hue; is a brunette,
and petite-her weight being that popularity
known as aoitches'-ninety-ni pounds. The
Colonel is tall-six feet, in stockings-rather
| light complexion auburn hair and beard,
the last worn long; is "nearsighted," to the
extent of constantly wearing gold-rimmed eye
glasses weighs about 1856; and when walk
ing, usually carries light cane, and is close
ly followed by pet deer-hound that accom-:
panes him in all his travels. This animal
evinces surprising intelligence, and is the one
introduced in "Dora's Inheritance" "a novel
upon which the author is now at work. on
whose sudden temporary loss certain events
| are made to turn dramatically.
TO conclude, it may be safely stated that our
author has a brilliant future before him. lie
is yet at the threshold of his career as a nov
elist, and is looking forward to plenty of hard
work. For in these days, he AYERS, great
regulations are not made permanent, without
long, continuous, steadfast and persistent
| labor.
The will and mental ability our author un-
questionably has in high degree; and it
surely requires only the energy Of health to
eventually place him in the foremost rank
not only of successful novelsts, but Of writers
whose lives have largely benefited humanity.
For with him it is a fixed principle in litera-
ture to indite every line-anonymous or 9th
erwise-as if the whole world could read his
name below it in colossal letters; or as if,
from the standpoint of eternity hundred
years hence, the reviewer were to come who
will judge his motives.
PATIENCE and PROGRESS, however, are his
watchwords; and true to their spirit, he bides
his time, and waits to make haste