Morris tribune., 1892-11-16
sCOTTpS HEROINE.
FACTS ABOUT THE ORIGINAL OF
THE NoVELIST'S REBECCA.

THE NovELIsT'S REBEccA.
She Was a Resident of Philadelphia and
Was the Dearest Friend of Washington
Scott Heard of Her.
OF all the women Sir Walter Scott
has drawn Rebecca and Rowena are the
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 per-
fection of the contrast between them
all contribute to fix them firmly in the
hearts of all readers. 1t has been said
that Rebecca is the great novelist's finest
character. If this is so it is of all the
more interest to us, for her prototype
was Philadelphia. 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.
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 and Ninth streets, and
read the simple inscription on the tomb
-"Rebecca Gratz. Born March 4, 1881.
Died Aug. 81, 1862"
Miss Graft w;:s q conspicuous member
Of an honorable Jewish family. She
possessed in early years-indeed even
to the day OF her death-a singular
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 attractions 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 Rebecca, con-
tinued to be known far and wide for it's
hospitality. One of the most intimate
friepds of her brother was Washington
Irving, who was then in the early fresh
ness of his literary career, and in this
way o cordial friendship and admiration
were established between the author and
Miss Gratz, which lasted as long as life.
Matilda Hoffman, who was the object
of Irving's only love, was also Rebecca's
dearest friend, many of her younger
days being passed with the Hoffmans
and other old families in New York.
During Miss Hoffman's first illness Re-
becca was her constant companion, shar-
ing 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 Abbotsford, 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 con-
versations between the two authors Irv-
ing spoke Of his own and Miss Hoff-
delphia. He glowingly described her
beauty and related the story of her firm
adherence to her religious faith under
the most trying circumstances, but par
ticularly did he tell Of her Jealous phi
lanthropy and loneliness of character.
Sir Walter was very deeply impressed
and interested and conceived the idea of
embodying a character like hers in one
of his novels. He was then revolving in
his mind the story of "ITanhQe." And
on the strength Of Irving's vivid descrip-
ton, he determined to introduce a Jew
ish 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 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: GLOW do you like your
Rebecca? Does the Rebecca have pic
tured 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 u 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. 1
When young girl, it is said, Rebecca
Gratz won the regard of gentleman of
good position and wealth, but as he was
a Christian the difference in their reli
gioris faith proved hopeless barrier 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 appeared as an
officer Of the female association. In 1888
a mission schael for Hebrew children
was started by this noble woman. At
this school prayers Of her own compost
ton were used daily. Miss Gratz lived
to the advanced age Of Lightweight,
when she died universally regretted.
The ancient graveyard where her NOR
tai remains repose has been closed for
burial purposes almost ever since her