The New York herald., 1878-12-20

tlc slope. SO well KNOWN indeed. that though MS
father. angry at his remuneration of the career he
had selected for him. had removed his support, the
son was still in the most comfortable circumstances
The rich promise of the new III Dorado lnred him
from his chosen He crossed the plains with
one OF the many expeditions whose relies. to this
day, mark ont the old overland route with skeletons.
After speculative ut the California mines he
wandered of to Mexico, to Central America and the
remoter tropics gathering that knowledge OF the
glorious country of the sun he was so fond OF por
traying. The finest among his many hundreds OF
sketches-and he a diligent student-date from
this portion of his career
Among the first places at which he was employed
after meeorie reappearanco in the East was the
Boston Museum. then under the management OF
Moses kimball, otherwise well known as at onetime
Mayor of Boston. For this house he painted IA
nous drop curtain called Past. Present and Future.
Many years after when Mr. Fechter. in the interest
of the late Arthur Cheney opened the Globe Theatre.
another and still more noteworthy drop was painted
by Mr.. Lewis at his studio in New York for that
house.
The studio in which this picture Of the entr'ccte
W executed was the first scenic studio in America
ever erected outside of theatre. 1t had been con-
structed at Mr.. Lewis expense and under his super
intendence in the of a building Sixth street,
between Second and Third avenues which had for
merly been church To-day it is part of stable.
At the time of its erection the artist enjoyed the
entire freedom Of tho Academy Of Music whose paint
room was literally and wholly at his service at az
times. Whenever any scenery to be added
10 the Academy stock Mr.. Lewis was sent for. The
first scenery before which Christine Nilsson acted
and sang in this country executed by him. He
had indeed during his artistic life in New York been
so widely and varousy engaged that it is difficult to
make any chronological arrangement of his work;
but certain facts stand forth prominently.
When Laura Kcene opened the theatre which is now
the Olympic he her principal scenic artist. He
furnished the elaborate sets for the Seven Sisters
and for all the other which crowned Miss
fcent tropic island in Edwin Adams first production
of 'Enoch Arden at Booths, was the work OF Mr..
Lewis brush, as also the finest scene in Kate
Bateman's MARY Warner" and Booths "Richelieu.
Leaving Booths he returned to the Olympic, and in
September. 1867. he employed himself on scenes for
Jefferson's RIP Van Winke,' but chiefly in eking
a n e
Of the midsummer Nights Dream" which
Mr.. Jefferson had brought from London.
for eight weeks. The during which
the Olympic enjoyed Mr.. Lewis services embraced
of the work for "Humpty Dumpty." which ran such
course under the late lamented George J.. Fox aud
the chief tabeans for Maggie Mitchelfs successful
Mr.. Hayes the lessee of the theatre and
of leading painters himself. spoke Of
Mr.. Lewis, except in the most glowing terms both as
artist and man. Dan Bryant's old Opera House
stocked with scenery by him. SO also the
Union Square Theatre, then q simple variety hall.
There few theatres. indeed. in this city which do
not exhibit specimens of his art. At the Olympic and
the Globe his drop curtains are still rung down be-
tween every act.
only available in New York city who had seen him
quite recently is Mr.. John Hllyard scenic painter at
temporancous rival The HERALD reporter found
him busy ut work. He had not heard Of the death
and seemed shocked Aftcrward he entered into
general conversation about the deceased and being
asked to give some idea Of Lewis style said:-"He
dashing and effective painter and yet
Of carelessness that had the most mi
mute art underlying it. Rich and forid
coloring he did not affect. The French school was
more in his line--that school of mastery neutral
tints. He was great lover of grays. never saw
more rapid worker or one more in love with his art
SO far rapidity is concerned l never knew
man to compare with Lewis Matt Morgan. Mi
nard always smoked while working and was forever
humming tune. In conversation ne was most de-
aud stored with an inexhaustbe fund of anecdote
and repartec
These tributes to the genius and character Of Lewis
were freely duplicated by all who were approached
on the subject. In an interview with prominent
manager this statement was obtained :-.'Lewis was
one Of the most conscientious workers in the busi-
When a new piece was underlined and
scenery ordered he would not be content with drafted
each scene, SO that inspiration should come
from contact with the story. He would make
sketches of his conception of the pictures and then
build mp the stage effects from them During his long
connection scenic artist with Laura keene that
admirable actress never dreamed of putting play
in regard the scenery. but with reference to ytage
effects. costumes and even to the minutia N an
Those who saw Mr.. Lewis in his later days, say
during the last ten years, easily noticed that from
domestic or other trouble he was working amid
shadows. He grew careless and painted in absent
minded way. The old reliability and dash were gone.
At time the lowest salary he would take 800
per week, but not more than two or three years
back he painting for q Newark house at
the rate Of SIS week--a salary that in
his palmy days he would scarcely nave offered the
boy who mixed his colors. Extravagant living and
the most lavish generosity were other traits OF the
dead artist He had Bohcmianistic contempt for
money that he never failed TO express misfortune
had not upon him his life would probably not
have been warped, and he might now have been doing
his most brilliant work. instead OF passing the
obscurity which has shroudcd him into that deeper
obscury Of the grave His last appearance worker
in New York city at the broadway Theatre. last
season. He went the bridge and painted until
noon Then he complained of feeling unwell. and
slowly walked from the theatre. He never back
to finish the picture whose brilliant lines he had
barely suggested, but left it to be filled in by
stranger hand.