The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-30
REBECCA'S GRAVE.


A8O &DOSJRt tlo0o 01 the mOSE rAhhVus ~
walter Scotia Heroinss-
Of AL shs women Sir Walter Scott has
1raWn Rsbsecs and Rowsna are the best
known and beloved. says the Philadelphia
Timss. The tender strength OF the 0ns'
the tender sweetness OF the other the ro-
mantle story through which thsy move and
Abe perfection OF tho contrast between
lhsm, all contribute to tx them firmly N
the hearts Of all readers. 1t has been sala
character. II this 10 20 il 10 Of all the more
inherent 70 ~, for her prototype vas = mi
N~dslphian. The original of Rebecca. tne
daughtar Of Isaac Of York. was hspeooa
Gratz, born in this city in the last centnly'
and still living after the two great novel
lists who auocsedsd Scott had been 9A'n-
stood She other day by her forgotten
grave ia tho little old Rraas-groNn Jswlsa
osmStsry. on Spauce street. just sontn 9.
\ Quaker lneeting house, between. n,ei WV
ncription on the tomb: 'Rebecca Gxs,5;
born March 4, 1881. Died August "a, 1861.
Miss Gratz WAS a conspicuous menper -
an honorable Jewish family. She possessen
In early years. indeed. even to the day 81
her death, = angular beauty Of face anu
form. Her eyes wore of exquisite shape,
LARGE. black and lustrous; her figure was
graceful and her carriage was mhtkeo oy
quiet dignity. Besides these attrnctlons
she had elegant and winning manners
Gentle. benevolent and accomplished, he
becca soon became the center OF a brittany
circle OF men and women, Christians ana
Jews, Her parents died when she was very
young, but the Gratz mansion, plesloeo
over by kebecca. continued to be Known
far and wide for its hosp'tal'ty: H brotbor
was Washington Irving, who was then III
chs earlv freshness of his literary career;
and in this way a cordial ir1snusnip ~
admiration was established between .ue
author and Miss Gratz which lnstea ~ 'uns
as life, Matilda Hoffman. who was me
object OF Irving's only love. was also lte-
hacna'a dearest friend, many Of her younger
davs being passed with the Honmans anu
other old families in New YORK. during
Miss Hoffman's last illness heoecea wHs
her constant companion, sharing WIZ Ins
fnmilv the onres of the sick bed and hold
ing Matilda, when she died. IN her arms.
Scott and Irving met for the first time IN
1877. The American visiting Sir Walter with
4 letter Of introduction from the poet
Campbell. He was most coIalalls lece..sa
a. Abbotsford. and there irving passed Soy
eraI of the most delightful days OF his lie
listeninp 10 the many tales, told as no one
but Scott could tell them, and rambling
about on the beautiful hills: During one OF
the frequent conversations betWeen Inc Two
authors Irving spoke Of his v and MISS
Hoffman's friend, Rebecca Grstz, OF Phila-
delphia. He elowingly described her arest
beauty. and related the story OF her hrm au-
herence to her religious faith unaer tne
most trying circumstances, but particularly
did he tell OF her jealous philanthropy anu
loveliness OF character. Sir walter was
yory deeply impressed and interested, and
conceived the idea of embodying q oharac-
ter like hers in one of his novels lie was
then revolving in his iii the story OF
~..Ivanhoe." And, on the strength OF lrvlnR's
vivid description, he determined to INTRO
duce a Jewish female character.
Scott composed this story urlng mo-
ments OF intense physical pain, yet at times
he became 80 much interested IN the char
xcter Of Rebecoa. for he even adopted her
name. that he rose from ms couGh ana
dictated the story to his amanuensis. he
finished the book in December, 1919. and
immediately sent the first copy to Irving.
In the letter accompanying II no asked:
How do you like your Rebecca? Does the
Rebecc8 l have pictured compare WelA VIII
the pattern RivenT'
The resemblance of the character TO that
of Miss Gratz, it is said by those who knew
her, was closely marked. Although the l
source Of the character was known to be /
the Jewsss her modesty made her shrink I
from the publicity of it, and when pressed
upon the subject she would deftly evade the I
matter BY changing the topic.
When a young girl, it is said. Rebecca =
Gratz won the regard of a gentleman Of
good position and wealth. but as he was a
Christian the difference in their religious
faith proved a hopeless barrie. to their
union. She consequently never married.
Instead, she devoted her life to charitabls
deeds. She founded the orphans' asylum
of this city, and as early as 1911 her name
appeared rs an officer of the Female asso-
citation. In 1888 a mission school for He
brew children was started by this noble
woman At this school prayers of her own
composition were used daily. Miss Gratz
lived until the advanced age of 0S, when
she died universally regretted.
The ancient graveyard where her mortal
remains repose has been closed for burial
purposes almost ever since her death, al
though previous to that time it was extern
sively used.