Mexico weekly ledger., 1889-10-03
Cleopatra


q. Rider Hagahrd's Latest Novel-A WodS
derfni Stnrr. aiid Conceded By Critics q
Do Ills Eest-it VIII Ei,ostsy Re PuA-
lfshed In This Paper.
H Rider Hasgard, while one Of tho
youngest OF the English npvelists, 10 by ID
means b ieast famouA In fact, for sfrfk-
ing originality, streugthof plot, power and
beauty OF narration, he stands foremost
among the great writer's Of the day. The
extraordinary sale of his works attests in
an undisputable way his immense populari.
" among the reading public wherever ths
Elgiish language ID spoken; to say nothing
OF the fact that they have been translated
into nearly all of tho foreign languages.
There are few people IN this country who
q not cad .'She,' .Jess,n or aKinR
Solomon's Mines" hence the announcement
OF still another story from Mr.. Haggard's
pen can not but awaken the iiveliest autici-
pstions OF pleasure among all lovers Of the
best serial fiction. Cleopatra Mr.. bag
gard's latest and (the critics say) his best
story, and which will shortly be begun In
these columns, is, in fact, an historical ro-
nance Of ancient Egypt. Cleopatra, one Of
the most famous women OF either ancient
or modern times, is, Of course, the central
character Of the story, while Antony. scarce
ly less prominent as an historic figure, II
also an important parsonage In thu
tale. But 1t Is around Egypt's won
drous Queen, q woman in whom the
world has never lost its interest that Mr..
Haggard has woven . romance so fanciful
that the Acknowledgements fairy tales OF
childhood pale before its dazzling splendor,
its weird mysteries midi its vivid picturinR.
"She," which did more to win Mr.. Haggard
name and fame than all his previous works,
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 re
spects the latter isa far superior piece OF
literary work. But what surprises, as well
as delights, the reader Of Cleopatra ID
the amount Of historic lore it contains, and
which must have cost its author years oil
research and study. Indeed, In the dedica
ton of the work to his mother, who, it seems
is also an Egyptian scholar of much learn.
ing, Nj. Haggard hints at the vast amount
of labor 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 illustrs
tons by Grieffenhagen, who has made Q Life
study OF Egyptian lore, and whose splendid
ly artistic and classical pictures for this
story have been redrawn and adapted fol-
newspaper use by one of the most compe
tent artists in the West.
Briefly stated, Cleopatra is supposed tc
be a translation from three rolls Of papyr
u in the coffin ofa mummy who existed
in C~leopatra's days and who was himsel,
the hero OF this tale. This mummy, known
IN life as Harmachis, vas held by the native
priests OF Egypt to be a direct descendant
of the ancient Pharaohs, and figured as thu
leader in a conspiracy to overthrow thu
hated Queen. Instead of staying her, as
had been plotted, Harmachis falls q victim
to her witcheries and for q brief period
plays the part Of a favored lover. He Is
however, soon cast aside, when, being en-,
ragged at such treatment, he works out 9
secret vengeance which results In the ruin
Of Cleopatra and her favored Antony. This
is, Of course, but the barest hint at the pie.
OF the story, but enough, we trust, to give
those who are familiar with Mr.. Haggard's
work an idea of the treat in store for then
when they come to a perusal of this, his
latest and best piece of romantic fiction
As stated before, it will shortly be begun
In these columns and given in liberal In,
stallments until completed. We bespeal
for 1t q hearty welcome at the hands of our
readers n at the same time congratulate
them that We have been able to secure thif
certainly wonderful and charming tale.