Arizona silver belt., 1893-03-11
SC0TT'S HEROINE.
eAcTs ABOUT THE ORIGINAL OF
 THE NoVELlST's RE6eccA.

Was tho Dearest Friend of Washington
 Irving's Only Love-How Sir Walter
 Scott Heard of Her.
 Of all tbe women Sir Walter Scott ,as drawn Rebecca and Rowena are the test known and best beloved. The ten Ger strength of the one, the tender Fweetness of the other, the romantic story
 through which they move and the per lection of the contrast between them Ill contribute to fix them firmly ill the hearts of all readers. 1t has been said lhat Rebecca is the great noyelists finest rtlaracter. If this is so it is of all tha more interest to us, for her prototype was Philadelphian The original of Rebecca, the daughter of Isaac of York, was Rebecea Gratz, born in this city in Inc last century and still living after the Two great noyelists 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 louth of the Quaker meeting house, between Eighth and Ninth streets, and read the simple inscription on the tomb --"Rebecca Gratz. Born March 4. l591 Died Aug. 27. 1869"
 Miss Gratz was conspicuous member pf 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, Rebeeca soon became the center of 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 l!uucd to be known far and wide for it's hospitality. Que of the most intimate friends of her brother was Washington Irving, who was then in the early fresh Gess Of bis literary career, and Iii this w&y cordial friendshipand admiration were established between the author aud hiss Gmtz. which lasted as long as fife Matilda Hoffman. who was tie object bf lrvE.., 0aly love. was also Rebeccas dearest 7rieud many of her younger days being passed with the Hofmuus gud other old families in New York tulnlS Hiss Hohmans first illness Re hecca w..e her constant companion shar. Ing with ihe famly tho cares of the sick hea ;,ud aolding Matilda when she died iG her ayns.
 SCod md Irving met for tEe first time n lSI7 tne American visiting Sir Walter with letter Of introduction from tue poet Camphell Re Was most cordially received at Abhotsfor,l. ani there Irving passed several of the most delightful days of lis life listening to the many t5ies. told as no one but Scott could tell them. and rambling about the beautiful hills During one of the frequent con- yersatioRs between the two authors Irv- Ing spoke of his own and Miss Hoff- man's frieud-helecca Gratz. of Phila- delphia lie giowiugly described her beauty and related the story of her firm ndherenceto her religinus faith under ihe most trying circumstances, but par iicularly did he tell of her zealousphi- tanthropy and loveliuess of character.
 Sir Walter was very deeply impressed and interested and conceived the idea of p,nbodying a character like hers in one nf his novels. He was then revolving in hts mind the story of "lyanhoe And pn the strength of lrving's vivid descrip- liun he determined to introduce Jew tsh female character
 Scott composed this story during mo meuts 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 rouch and walked up and down the room while he dictated the story to his aln;Nuensis.
 He finished tho book in December lSl9. and immediately sent the first copy to Irving. In the letter accompanying lt. be asked: How do you like your Rebeccp? Does the Rebeeca have pie lured compare well with the pattern giyenY
 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 nodesty !aade her shrink from the publicity of it, and when pressed upon the subject she would deftly eyade the matter by changing the topic.
 When young girl, it is said, Rebecca tiratz won the regard of a gentleman of good position and wealth but as he was Christian the difference in their reli- gious 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 iSll her name appeared as an officer of the female association. In 1858 mission school for Hebrew children was started by this noble woman At ns school prayers of her own compost Lon were used daily. Miss Gratz lived To the advanced age of eighty-eight, when she died universally regretted
 The ancient graveyard where her nor, tal remains repose has been closed for burial purposes almost ever since her death, although previous to that time il was extensively used. Philadelphia Times.
 An Authors Feelings.
 The author of ''The Turkish Spy" tells