Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-01-12

Rebecca was born on the 4th of March,
i 1881. and in her younger days, and even be-
yond middle life, she possessed singular
beauty. Her eyes were of exquisite shape,
large, black and lustrous; her figure was
graceful. and her carriage was marked by
quiet dignlty-attraction which were
heightened by elegant and winning man
ners.
1t is said that, when young lady, Re-
brcca won the regard of a gentleman of
character, position and wealth, whose pas
sion was devoutly returned. The differ
ence in their religious faith, however-the
one conscientious Christian, the other
devoted to the ancient creed of Israel
proved an insuperable barrier to their
union. She was never married.
One of her brothers. most intimate
friends was Washington Irving, then in
the early freshness of his literary fame
When in Philadelphia he was welcome
guest at the mansion. and the ''big room y
was assigned to him to ''roost in" as he
termed it. The beauty and character of
l0COCCCu, UOSCVuCl WILL oAO ldSu CAV VOC
a representative of race whose history
was full of romance, deeply impressed him,
and the foundation was laid of cordial
friendship and an admiration which last
ed through life.
Miss Gratz passed many of her younger
days with the Hoffmans and other old
families in New York, with whom she was
on intimate terms. Among her friends at
this time were the literary wits of Salma-
gundi. Matilda Hoffman, the object of
Irving's first, last, and only love, was her
dearest friend. Miss Hoffman, who is de-
scribed as lovely in person and mind. with
engaging manners, delicate sensibilities,
and playful humor, faded early, and died
April, 1909. at the age of eighteen. Re
becca was her constant companion during
her illness, sharing with the family the
cares of her sick bed, and holding her in
her arms when she died. Irving was then
twenty-six years old, and for the half-cen-
fury of his later life he cherished faithful
ly the memory Of his early love. He slept
with her Bible and prayer-book under his
pillow, and they were ever his inseparable
companions. After his death, package
was found containing some private memo
randa, a miniature of her great beauty, a
braid of her fair hair, and slip of paper
containing her name in his own hand-writ-
ing. In his private notebook he wro to :
'tShe died in the beauty of her youth, and
in my memory she will ever be young and
beautiful"
For many years, during which he stud
led law and was admitted to the bar, 1r-
ving's naturally gay temperament was
overshadowed by this grief, and his fire.
auent intervals of depression untitled him
for literary labor. Engaging in business
with his brother at Liverpool, he passed
much of his time abroad. His mercantile
career, however, proved failure, and he
henceforth devoted himself to literature.
In was the fall of the year 1917, that Scott
and Irving met for the first time. With a
letter of introduction from the poet Camp
bell, who was aware of Scott's high esti-
mate of Irving's genius, the latter visited
Abbottsford. He was most cordially re-
ceived and welcomed by Scott himself,
who came limping down to the gate, at
tended by his favorite stag hound, and
grasped his hand in way that made
Irving feel as if they were already old
friends.
To this friendship we owe the character
of Rebeeca in "Ivanhoe." During one of
their many conversations, when personal
and family affairs were the topics, Irving
spoke of his own. and Miss Hoffman's
cherished friend, Rebecca Gratz of Phila-
deIphia; described her wonderful beauty,
related the story of her firm adherence to
her religious faith under the most trying
circumstances, and particularly illustrat-
cd her loneliness of character and Jealous
philanthropy. Scott was deeply interest
cd and impressed, and conceived the plan
of embodying the pure, moral sentiment.
that like thread of silver ran through
the story. Although Rob Roy" was then
unfinished, he was already revolving in
mind the plot and character of ''Ivanhoe.
He Immediately determined to introduce
Jewish female character, and, on the
strength of Irving's vivid DIES cription, he
named his heroine Rebecca. Century,.