Being excessively fond of the society of men of sense and readin^:, h-^ was never wearied at a sitting till the spirits of the whole company were dissipated. From his infancy he has lived in a manner best adapted to teach him the nature of man, and to fortify his mind for the \-icissituui.-s of life. He verj- early lost both his father and mother, as we have seen, and feU under the patronage of his uncle. Being a boy of strong passions, the general indications of a friiithful genius, he gave frequent offence to his uncle ; and, on one of these occasions, through fear of his resentment, strolled away into Virgijiia, and thence io /amaicain the West Indies, vv-here, to support himself, he set up for a scrivener."" " As a proof of his boWsh propensities, (says Mr. Dunlap,) we are told that when a pupil to Luke Copperthwait, a Quaker, Lewis, hid himself in a tree by which his teacher was to pass ; and in a feigned voice, wth great solemnity called upon Luke, (from above, of course,) and ordered him to go and preach the gospel among the Mohawks. Luke considered the bidding miraculous, and prepared to obey; when, either by compunction of the boy, or other means, he was undeceived. After several years passed in the West Indies, the wanderer returned to Morrisania, and was received by his uncle ^^'ith forgiveness and joy. To settle him for life, the uncle brought about a marriage between Lewis and INIiss Graham,* a fine lady, (continues Mr. Smith,) wth whom he lived above fifty years. in the possession of every enjoyment which good sense and poute manners in a woman could afford.'''^