Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-09-25
REBECCAS GRAVE.
FACTS ABOUT THE LIFE AND
RESTING PLACE OF
Sir Waller SCOTS Famous Herolne--The
Graveyard Where Her Remains RspOso
Has Been Closed.

" all the women Sir Walter Scott
nus drawn, Rabecca and Rowona. ara
tne Dast known and best beloved, The
lender strength Of the one. Inc tondar
sweetness Of the other. the romantic
story through they move and the per.
iecuon u tho contrast between them
an contribute 10 fix them FIRMLY in The
hearts OF all readers, saws the Phila.
aelphla Times. it has been said that
l,eOecca is the great nOvelist's finest
character II this is so II Is Of an tho
more Interest 10 us, for her prototype
was Philadelphian. The original of
ttebecoa, the daughter OF Isaac Of York
was hebecca Graft. born In this CITY in
tne last century and still living after
me Two great noyelists who succeeded
scott had been gathered TO Wnlhalla
STOOD the other day by her forgot
Ion grave in the little old erass-rr6wn
jewish cemetery on Spruce street, lust
south OF the Quaker meeting house, be-
tween Eighth and Ninth streets. and
read the simple inscription on the
tomb: 'Rebecca Gratz, Born March 4.
lIsl. Died August q, 1859"
Miss Gratz was . conspicuous mem
Der OF an honorable Jewish family. She
possessed in early years indeed, even
10 the day Of her death-a singular
beauty Of face and form Hor ewes
were OF exquisite shape, large, black
and lustrous; her figure was graceful
and her carriage was marked by quiet
dignity. Besides these attractions she
had elegant and winning manners.
Gentle, benevolent and accomplished,
Rebecca soon became the contre OF
brilliant circle Of men and women,
Christians and Jews. Her parents died
when she was very young, but the Graft
mansion, presided over by Rebecca, con-
tinued to be known far and wide for its
hospitality. One OF the most intimate
friends OF her brother was Washington
Irving, who was then In the early fresh
ness OF his literary career, and in this
way q cordial friendship and admira-
tiou were established between the au-
thor and Miss Graft, which lasted Us
long as lite. Matilda Hoffman, no
was the object Of lryings only love, was
also Rebecca's dearest friend, many OF
her younger days being passed with the
Hoilmans' and other old families in
New York. During Miss Hoiimans
first illness Rebeeca was her constant
companion, sharing with the family
the cares Of the sick bed and holding
Matilda, when she died, in her arms.
Scott and Irving met for the first
time in 1917, the American visiting Sir
Walter with letter OF introduction
from the poet Campbell. He was most
cordially received at Abbotsiold, and
there Irving spent several of the most
delightful days Of his life, listening TO
the many tales, told as no one but Scott
could tell them, and rambling about the
beautiful hills. During one OF the fire.
quent conversations between the two
authors, Irving spoke of his own
and Miss HOtimans friend, Rebecca
Graft; of Philadelphia, He glowingly
described her beauty and related the
story OF her firm adherence to her re-
| ligious faith under the most trting cir
cumstanees, but particularly did he tell
OF her Jealous philanthropy and lowell
ness Of character.
Sir Walter was very deeply impressed
and interested and conceived the idea OF
embodying character like hers In ona
| OF his novels He was then revolving
| in his mind the story OF "lvanhOe. "
| And, on the strength of Irying's vivid
| description, he determined 70 intro
duce Il Jewish female character.
Scott composed this story during mo-
ments OF intense physical pain, yet, at
| times, he became so interested in the
character of Rebecca, for he even
| adopted her name, that he even rose
from his couch and walked up and
| down the room while be dictated the
story to his amanuensis.
| He finished the book in December.
1919. and Immediately sent the first
COPY to Irving. In the letter accom-
panying it, he asked: "How do YOU
| like your RebeccaY Does the Rebeoca
have pictured compare well with the
pattern givens"
The resemblance Of the character 70
that of Miss Graft, 1t Is said by those
who knew her, was closely marked
Although the source Of the character
was known to the Jewess her modesty
made her shrink from the publicity Of
It, and when pressed upon the subject
abe would deftly evade the matter by
changing the topic.
When a young girl, It is said, Rebecca
Graft won the regard OF a gentleman
Of good position aud wealth, but as he
was a Christian the difference in theii
religious faith proved hopeless bar
rier to their union. She consequently
never married. Instead she devoted
her life 10 charitable deeds. sh'
founded the orphan asylum in THU
CITY. and as earlp as 1911 her name ap
peared as an officer OF the female asso
citation. In 1888 mission school foi
Hebrew children was started by thu
noble woman. AT this school prayer
Of her own composition were used daily
Miss Grat2 lived TO the advanced age o
IS. when she died universally regretted
The ancient graveyard where hei
mortal remains repose has been closed
for burial purposes almost ever since
her death. although previous TO tina
time Il was extensively used.