He has performed on several great occasions, notably at the World's Peace Jubilee, held in Boston in 1872, in an orchestra of nearly two thousand instrumentalists, all selected, and of fine skill. Before being accepted there, he was subjected to a most rigid examination by the superintendent of the orchestra, being required to play on the violin some of the most complicated and difficult compositions for that instrument. This test he stood so well, indeed, as to elicit from the superintendent, in the warmest manner, the comprehensive exclamation, "Lewis, you are a musician!" At the grand testimonial concert tendered P.S. Gilmore (the projector of the two great "Jubilees") at the Boston Theatre, prior to his going to New York to reside, Mr. Lewis appeared in a selected orchestra, and contributed not a little to the success of that interesting occasion.
He is constantly arranging and composing music for his classes, for orchestras and bands. At present he is engaged in composing for the piano what he will call "A Meditation," and in which he will include some of the finest ideas that constantly fill his musical mind. Some of these thoughts I have heard him play; and I have been so pleased by them, as to beg him not to relinquish his purpose to give them to the public, being convinced that in so doing he would afford delight to all lovers of good music, and add much to his already fine reputation.
Many complimentary notices touching the musical abilities of Mr. Lewis have from time to time appeared in the public journals. A few of the briefest are given below.
One of these journals, a good while ago, said,—
"Mr. Lewis is an amateur performer of marked ability."
"The Boston Journal," June 11, 1874, said,—
"Mr. Lewis gained much applause for his violin solos; and a duet and also a sonata by Mozart, for violin and piano, were well received."
"The Boston Globe," April 16, 1874, said,—
"Mr. F.E. Lewis, violin soloist, appeared once on the list, and was so demonstratively applauded, that he was a second time forced to come upon the platform. His first solo and the response were very artistically given."
In these driving days, when competition is so rife in all the trades and professions, and when, even among our best musicians, what begins as a spirit of honest rivalry often degenerates into that of detraction, it is pleasant to record instances in which it is shown that there are those who in their culture so strikingly unite the qualities of the skilful artist and the true gentleman, that their warmest admirers and friends are found among those of the same calling. Of Mr. Lewis, Mr. Alonzo Bond, director of Bond's Military Band, and a veteran musician of note, once said, "He is the finest accompanist (piano) in the United States." The writer has also in possession letters, highly commendatory of Mr. Lewis as a musician, from Mr. L.R. Goering, a skilful orchestra leader, member of that fine body of musicians, the Germania Band, and a teacher of great merit; from T.M. Carter, director of Carter's Band; from J.O. Freeman, and J.H. Richardson,—all musicians of high rank, and gentlemen of excellent general culture. From the letter of one of these (Mr. J.O. Freeman) I quote the following reference to the subject of this sketch:—