Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1892-11-10
SCOTT'S HEROINE.
Facts About the Original of the Nov
elist's Rebecca.

best known and best beloved. The ten
der strength of the one, the tender
sweetness of the other, the romantic
story through which they move and the
perfection of the contrast between
them-all contribute to fix them firmly
In the hearts of all readers. 1t ha.
been said that Rebecca is the great
noyelists finest character. If this il
80 1t is of all the more interest to us
Tor her prototype was Philadelphian
The original of Rebecca, the daughter
OF Isaac of York, was Rebecca Gratz,
born in this city in the last century
and still living after the two great
novelists who succeeded Scott had been
gathered to Walhalla.
l stood the other day by her forgotten
grave in the little old grass grown
Jewish cemetery on Spruce street, just
south of the Quaker meeting house
between Eighth ahd Ninth streets, and
l read the simple inscription on the
tomb-"Rebecca Gratz. Born March
a, 1881. Died Aug. 81, 1862"
Miss Gratz was a conspicuous mem
Der OF an honorable Jewish family.
She possessed in early years-indeed
even to the day of her death-a sin
gular beauty of face and form. Her
eyes were of exquisite shape, large,
black and lustrous; her figure was
graceful and her carriage was marked
by quiet dignity. Besides these attrac-
tions she had elegant and winning
manners.
Gentle, benevolent and accomplished,
Rebecca soon became the center of a
brilliant circle of men and women
Christians and Jews. Her parents died
when she was very young, but the
Gratz mansion, presided over by Re-
becca, continued 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 freshness of his literary
career, and in this way cordial friend
ship and admiration were established
between the author and Miss Gratz,
which lasted as long as life. Matilda
Hoffman, who was the object of Irv-
ing's only love, was also Rebecca' g
dearest friend, many of her younger
days being passed with the Hoffman
and otner old families in New York.
During Miss Hoffman's first illness
Rebecca 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 Abbottsford, and
there Irving passed 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 frequent conversations between
the two authors Irving spoke of his
own and Miss Hoffman s friend-Re-
becca Gratz, of Philadelphia. He
glowingly described her beauty and
related the story of her firm adherence
to her religious faith under the most
trying circumstances, but particularly
did he tell of her jealous philanthropy
and loveliness of character.
Sir Walter was very deeply impressed
and interested, and conceived the idea
of embodying character like hers in
one of his novels. He was then revolv-
ing in his mind the story of Ivanhoe.
And on the strength of Irving's vivid
description he determined to introduce
Jewish female character.
Scott composed this story during
moments of intense physical pain, yet
at times he became so interested in the
character of Rebecca, for he even
adopted her name, that he rose from
his couch and walked up and down the
room while he 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
it, he asked: How do you like your
Rebeccap Does the Rebecca l have
pictured compare we'll with the pattern
given?"
The resemblance Of the character to
that of Miss Gratz, it 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
she would deftly evade the matter by
changing the topic.
| When ayoung girl, it is said, Rebecca
Gratz won the regard of a gentleman
of good position and wealth, but as he
was Christian the difference in Their
religious faith proved a hopeless bar,
rier to their union. She consequently
never married. Instead she devoted
her life to charitable deeds. She
founded the orphans asylum of this
city, and as early as 1911 her name ap
peared as an officer of the female as
sociation. In 1888 mission school fol
Hebrew children was started by thi,
noble woman. AT this school prayer,
of her own composition were used