The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-12-24
Origin Of Master
PiecSe

novels is "Ivanhoe." When he began
work on this masterpiece of English
nction he had it full sketched in his
mind, we are told, but was looking
about for heroine who would exactly
typify a race whose prosecution he de.
plored, and he is said to have found
her in most unusual way. While still
IN quandry, he received visit from
the American novelist, Washington
Irving, whose works he very much ad.
mired.
Mr.. Irving had come to Abbotsford
IN 1917, bearing letter of introduc.
ton from the poet Campbell who was
aware of Sir Walters high apprecia.
ton of Irving's genius. During one
OF their conversations Irving spoke to
his friend Robert Gratz, member of
sturdy Jewish family of Philadel.
phia, who was born in the Quaker
City in 1871. She was distinguished
as much for her faith, her charity and
real worth as her beauty.
Scott was deeply impressed with
Irving's description, and conceived the
idea of embodying Miss Gratz as the
heroine of the work he was about to
begin. This purpose he carried out,
and when the book appeared in Deem
Der, 1919, he sent the first copy to
Irving, and in letter accompanying
it he asked: How do you like your
Rebecca? Does this Rebecca compare
with the pattern given?"
When Sir Walter Scott was writing
"Ivanhoe" he had long and severe
illness, and most of the story was die
tated to his secretary. Often when he
was in great pain he continued at his
work with his usual energy. When his
secretary would insist on his resting
he would say: NAY, Willie, only see
the doors are fast. l would fain keep
all the cry as we'll as all the wool to
ourselves, but as to giving over work,
that can only be when l am in woolen.'
Lockhart, in his Life of Scott" says
that the author received numerous let
tiers from readers of "Ivanhoe," CEN
surfing him for bestowing the hand of
Rowena, rather than that of Rebecca,
upon the brave knight of Ivanhoe,
showing that there was in the char
acter that touch of nature that makes
the whole world kim"
Irving, in one of his interesting let
tiers tells of the informal and cordial
reception given him when he visited
Scott, who came limping down to the
gate to meet him, and made him spend
several days at Abbotsford. They
read and talked together, and it is
probably during one of these evenings
that the subject of Rebecca Gratz was
discussed.
Miss Gratz knew the source Of the
character of Rebecca, "but shrinking
as she did, from any publicity" we are
told, would seldom refer to the Incl
dent, and when pressed upon the sub
ject would deftly evade it by changing
the theme of conversation"
There is said to have been a little
romance in the life of Rebecca Gratz.
was beloved by worthy man who had
gained her affection. The difference
in religious belief, however, proved an
insurmountable barrier to the union,
Rebecca remaining loyal to her faith
as her prototype in Scott's novel.
Rebecca Gratz lived a long life of
devotion to service for humanity, and
in this we are reminded of the words
of Rebecca in her final interview with
Wilfred's bride in "Ivanhoe"; Among
our own people, since the time or
Abraham downward, have been women
who had devoted their thoughts to
Heaven and their actions to works of
kindness to men, tending the sick,
feeding the hungry and relieving the
distressed. Among these will Rebecca
be numbered"
1t seems as if the novelist had not
only portrayed the character of Re-
becca Gratz in that of his favorite
heroine, but had also forecast the
future of her prototype in these words
of "Rebecca, the Jewess."