The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-08-29
"cLEoPATRA."

II. Rider Haggarh's Latest NUvo1-A Won.
dorful Story. and Conceded by Critics to
BE Ills Dcst-It VIII shortly DO Pub
lished In THIS Paper.
II. Rider Haggari, while one OF the
youngest OF the English novclists, Is by no
means the least famous. In fact, for strik-
ing originality, strength Of plot, power and
beauty Of narration, he stands foremost
among the great writers OF the day. The
extraordinary sale of his works attests in
an undisputable way his immense populari-
~ among the reading public wherever the
English language is spoken; to say nothing
Of the fact that they have been translated
into nearly all Of the foreign languages.
There are few people IN this country who
have not read ''Shc., ''Jcss," or "King
Solomon's Mines hence the announcement
Of still another story from Mr.. Haggard's
pcn can not but awaken tho llvelest antici-
pations OF pleasure among all lovers Of the
best serial fiction. CLEOPATRA Mr.. Hag-
CARDS latest and tthe critics say) his best
story, and which will shortly be begun in
these columns, is, in fact, an historical r0-
nance OF ancient Egypt. Cleopatra, one Of
the most famous women OF either ancient
or modern times, il, of course. the central
character Of the story, while Antony. scarce
Nv Les prominent rs an historic figure. -
also m important parsonage ~ tho
tale. hut il is around Egypts won
drcus Queen, u woman in whom tho
world has never lost its interest, that Mr.
Haggard has woven romance 80 tanciful
that the ncver-to bc-forgotten fairy tales OF
childhood pale before its dazzling splendor.
it's weird mysteries and its vivid picturing.
''Shc," which did more TO win Mr. Haggard
r.. - T..
and which stands almost unsurpassed
among the spectacular stories Of the day,
is not superior to Cleopatra in its ORR
entail gorgeousness; while in many rc-
spccts the latter IS far superior piece Of
literary work. But what surprises, rs well
as delights, the reader OF Cleopatra" is
the amount of historic lore it contains, and
which must ha,ss cost its author years OF
research aud study. Indeed, in tho dedica-
tior. Of the work to his mother, who, it seems,
is also an Egyptian scholar Of much Learns
ing, Mr.. Haggard hints at the vast amount
Of labOf which he was compelled to perform
in gathering the materials for his story. The
same attentive labor and research IS also
continued and carried out in the illustra-
tons by Grichcnhagcn, who has made . life
study Of Egyptian lore, and whose splendid
ly artistic and classical pictures for this
story have been redrawn and adapted for
newspaper use by one of the most compe-
tent artists in the West.
Briefly stated, Cleopatra is supposed 10
be translation from three rolls Of papyri
foupd in the coffin Of a mummy who existed
in Clcopatra's days and who was himself
the hero Of this tale. This mummy, known
in life as Harmachis, was held by the native
priests of Egypt to be direct descendant
ofthc ancient Phara6hs, and figured rs thu
lehder in q conspiracy TO overthrow the
hated Queen. Instead Of staying her, as
had been plotted, Harmachis falls victim
to her witcheries and for n brief period
plays the part of a favored lover He is,
however, soon cast aside, when, being ell
ragged at such treatment, he works out Q
secret vengeance which results in the ruin
0f. Cleopatra and her favored Antony. This
IS, Of course. but the barest hint at the plot
Cf the story, but enough, we trust, to give
those who are familiar with Mr. Haggari's
work an idea OF the treat in store for them
when they come 10 perusal Of this, his
latest apdi Rest piece of romantic fiction.
As stated before. it. will shortly be- begun
in these Columns and given in liberal in
stallmeiits ,dnsil completed. We 'bespeals
for it hearty. welcome at the hands Of our
readers And ut Tire same time congratulate
them ihat.we have been able to secure this
cartninlv wonderful and charming tale.