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DR. CHARLTON THOMAS LEWIS : 1897 HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT DIARY OF EDUCATOR, ACTUARIAL, LAWYER, LECTURER, ARTS PATRON AND SPEAKER AT HARVARD AND YALE

16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall. On offer is the handwritten manuscript diary of the extraordinary Dr. Charlton Thomas Lewis a well known lawyer, lecturer, thinker and educator from New York. He was noted for his Greek lectures partook in all the literary functions of the day and going to the Shakespearean and Author's clubs there in New York. He also was the Deputy Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, an actuarial expert on insurance and speaker at Harvard and Yale to name two. He also loves to dine at the best hotels such as the 5th Ave. and Astor House. He has such a passion for the theatre, books and the arts. The "Annual report of the prison association of New York" Says he was born in West Chester Pa. on the 25th of February 1834. His father was Joseph J. Lewis, commissioner of internal revenue under President Lincoln and Johnson. His grandfather was a prominent leader and educator in the Society of Friends, Quakers. He was married twice. He wrote numerous books and papers, including the "Elementary Latin Dictionary." The diary dated 1897 shows his address at 32 Nassau Street New York. Directories show that "The Mutual Life Insurance Company" has it's office at this address, another company he worked for. Noteworthy is that he rides his "wheel" (bicycle) passionately, In October he says, "Cyclometer 1150 ½, 1522 since May 30th." January 1st finds Charlton in Germany celebrating a new year. February 4th, he sails for home. Here are snippets: 1897 "January 2nd, A dreary day, drizzle and chill outside. Stay in all morning writing and reading chiefly finishing sermons, compositions and arranging papers. Letters from N.Y. and Copenhagen. Telegraph Risely and write Mclintock. P.m. read "Monitor" carefully through. At 7 to residing theatre. ______finely played especially "Teia" and "Frity". The idea of each of these short plays is the conflict of man in the immediate prospect of death but all is fearlessness in each case, no illustration of the weak spirit in pain." "February 3rd, Arose early, walked about the city. Call at steamer office and drove 40+…..Lunch at hotel. Call on Coltelette's then go shopping for chain, umbrella, pipe for Charlty and Jean. To bank then drive around Caro with fine views of city and back to hotel. Dine at Cotelette's bachelor apartment. Fine pictures and luxurious arrangement. 121 steps from ground to 6th floor and on high hill with great view. London mail brings me but one letter from Jas McKeen, Jan. 22nd." "February 4th, Shop for pipe and hat, find no shipper or paper net. Wait long on ship but sail just before noon. Keep close to coast from Genoa to Monaco, magnificent views of Rivera and mountains behind. Summer on back ground of imprints of snow and ice. On sea passengers few and dull. Read "Schumer seele". Expected cable from Munich, fails. Also letters. Telegram from Sigman." "February 6th, At noon today, 117 miles from Gibraltar. A bright day of sunshine with sharp clear horizon and smooth sea, keeping close to the Spanish coast with fine views of shore and of mountains most of the day with scenes of rice fields and of the Sierra Nevada inland in full view. Bath 7 a.m. Ocean lovely. Read little. At 8 p.m. reached Gibraltar. Went ashore with Mr. and Mrs. Goodman and Mrs. Lawn and others with guide and walked about streets and shops and saw Gmeua's (?) house etc. Splendid moonlight views of harbor, etc." "February 11th, At noon run again 343 miles. This ends prospect of landing Monday. Sea grows rougher, decks out, steerage passengers soaked from waves. They roll right into their quarters. Still a large share of passengers at meals. No sails seen all day." (Goes on to say that the captain is changing course to avoid a hurricane but then says he saw a cyclone. Then on February 16th they finally land and are in Quarantine.) "March 10th, ….take 4:10 on N.W. for Chicago by ______kee with W. S. Walker and Hamilton to Palmer House. Letters from ______ at _____and in Chicago. Night and day rest at Palmer House." "April 21st, McClintock thrown from carriage as Bill reported first dead then much injured. Took 12 m train and found him sitting up, head badly cut, no permanent injuries. Short wheel ride. Mary to N.Y. to see "Tempest" alone." "July 18th, Rode to Sag Harbor by breakfast. Bathe in bay a.m. Ride p.m. to call on Maud and Mr. Dunning, May, Mrs. & Jas. Gotin. In all 20 m. today. Heavy rain during night. Rode 40 m. on Montauk Wheel." "October 22nd, Evening dinner at lawyers club with Ruggles, Brise and Ketchem. Dr. Flint and Baum, Ian McKeen, Jackson _____ failed. Owing difficulty in putting in. Night at Astor House." "November 13th, Saw Willie &c to steamer Rotterdam at Hoboken. Sailed 10 a.m. Received call from E. Hawes. Peg came and Margaret and Lizzie Gilman at 4. Mac____ and Fanny called just after I got back. H. S. Farman sailed 5 a.m. by Campania." A difficult script though legible, perseverance will pay off. The diary is a black pocket type diary with a front flap and measures about 3 ¼" x 5" and is in fair to good condition.. Book Condition: Good. Binding: Manuscript

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