Miss Gratz is described in her youth as a woman of distinguished beauty. Her eyes were large and dark, her figure graceful, and her manners winning and attractive. In addition to these charms, she was a woman of more than ordinary cultivation and force of character.

During Washington Irving's visit to Great Britain in 1817 he met most of the literati of that brilliant period, among them the poet Campbell, who, well aware of Walter Scott's high estimate of Irving's genius, gave him a letter of introduction to the Northern minstrel. Irving, in one of his letters, tells of the informal and cordial reception given him by the poet, who came limping down to the gate to meet him and made him spend several days at Abbotsford, during which time Scott, most delightful of cicerones, visited with him. Dryburgh Abbey, and pointed out to him from a mountain-top the Braes of Yarrow, Ettrick's stream winding down to throw itself into Tweed, and many another famous spot. After the day's wanderings they read and talked together, and it was

probably upon one of these evenings at Abbotsford that the older poet drew Irving to speak of his friends at home, and among them of Rebecca Gratz. He described her wonderful beauty, related the story of her firm adherence to her religious faith under the most trying circumstances, and particularly illustrated her loveliness of character and zealous philanthropy. Scott, who was deeply interested and impressed, conceived the plan of embodying in a romance the noble character and sentiments of this high-souled Jewess. He was then at work upon "Rob Roy," but was already revolving in his active mind the plot of "Ivanhoe," and was desirous. of introducing a Jewish female character into the story.

We can readily understand how Scott's imagination was fired by Irving's glowing description of his beautiful and gifted friend, and why it is that "Rebecca the Jewess" stands out for all time as one of the finest creations of that master-hand. Lockhart tells us that Scott received letters from some of the readers of "Ivanhoe" cen

suring him for bestowing the hand of Rowena, rather than that of Rebecca, upon the brave knight of Ivanhoe, showing that there was in this character "that touch of nature that makes the whole world kin." Laidlaw, to whom a large portion of "Ivanhoe" was dictated, relates that he became so interested in the story of Rebecca that he exclaimed as he wrote, "That is fine, Mr. Scott! Get on! get on!" To which the author, well pleased, replied, "Ay, Willie; but recollect I have to make the story. I shall make something of my Rebecca." "Ivanhoe" was published in December, 1819, and Sir Walter sent a copy to Irving and a letter companying it, in which he said, "How

you like your Rebecca? Does the Rebecca I have pictured compare with the pattern given ?"

Miss Gratz knew the source of the character of Rebecca, but, "shrinking as she did from any publicity, would seldom acknowledge the fact, and, when pressed upon the subject, would deftly evade it by a change of topic." Belonging to a family

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of influence and culture, she naturally met men of superior position and abilities. Among those who surrounded her it is said that there was one man who loved Rebecca Gratz, who was worthy of her, and who gained her affection. The difference in religious belief, however, proved an insurmountable barrier to a union, this latterday heroine being as loyal to the faith of her fathers as was Scott's Rebecca. Greatly admired by a large circle of friends in Philadelphia, at Saratoga Springs, where she spent her summers, and at her brother's home in Kentucky, where Henry Clay paid her marked attention, Miss Gratz seems to have put aside all thoughts of love and marriage, and to have dedicated her best energies to works of benevolence and philanthropy. There was, says her biographer, Gratz Van Rensselaer, scarce a charitable institution of the day in her native city that did not have the name of Rebecca Gratz inscribed upon its records as an active officer or as an adviser and benefactress, Gentiles as well as Jews being. the recipients of her unfailing kindness

and sympathy. In view of this long life of devoted service for humanity of one who, in her youth, seemed fitted pre-eminently for a brilliant social career, we are reminded of the words of Rebecca in her final interview with Wilfred's bride:

"Among our own people, since the time of Abraham downwards, have been women who have 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."

It seems as if the novelist had not only portrayed the character of Rebecca Gratz in that of his favorite heroine, but had also forecast the future of her prototype in these words of "Rebecca the Jewess."