Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-10-16
THE WATERBURY EVENING DEMOCRAT WEDNESDAY, ocToBE
"CLEOPATRA."


 Fl. Rider Hagsard's Latest Novel-A Won.
 dorful Story. and Conceded by Critics to
 Be His Best-It Will Shortly Be Pulp
 nshed in This Papar.
 Fl. Rider Haggard, while one of the youngest of the English novelists, 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 tho day. The extraordinary sale of his works attests in an undisputable way his immense populari- ty 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 arc few people Tn this country who have not read ''She,'' ''Jess,' or ssKing Solomon's Mines," hence the announcement ot still another story from MT. Haggard's pen can not but awaken tho livelicst antici- pations of pleasure among all lovers of the best serial fiction. "Cleopatra," MT. Hag- gard's latest and (the critics say) his best story, and which will shortly be begun in these columns, is, in fact, an historical TO- nance of ancient Egypt Cleopatra, one of the most famous women of either ancient or modern times, is, of course, tho central character of the story, while Antony, scarce ly less prominent as an historic figure, is also an important parsonage in the tale. But 1t Is around Egypt's won drous Queen, a woman ill whom the world has never lost it's interest, that Mir. Haggard has woven romance so fanciful that the nevcr-to be forgotten fairy tales of childhood pale before its dazzling splendor, it's weird mysteries and it's vivid picturing. ''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 pct superior to "Cleopatra" in its Ori- ental gorgeousness; while in many re- spects the latter IS far superior piece of literary work But what surprises, as well as delights, the reader of " Cleopatra,' is the amount of historic lore it contains, and which must have cost its author years of research and study. Indeed, in the dedica- tion of the work to his mother, who, 1t seems, is also an Egyptian scholar of much learn iAg, Mr. Haggard hints at the vast amount of labor which he was compelled to perform in gathering 2 the materials for his story. The same attentive labor and research is also continued and carried out in the illustrar tions by Grieifenhagen, who has made a 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 to | be translation from three rolls of papyrf | found in the coffin of g mummy who existed | in Cleopatra's days and who was himself | tho Hero of this tale. This mummy, known in life as Harnachis. was held by the native priests Of Egypt to be direct descendant of the ancient Pharaohs, and figured as the leader in 6 conspiracy to overthrow the hated Queen. Instead of staying her, as had been plotted, Harmachs falls victim to her Witcheries and for a brief period plays the part of g. favored lover. He is, however, soon cast aside, when, being en- ragged at such treatment, he works out a secret vengeance which results in the ruin of Cleopatra and her favored Antony. This
 is, of course, but the barest hint at the plot of the story, but enough, we trust, to give those who are familiar with MT. Haggard' s
 work an idea of the treati in store for them 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 beA5eak for it a hearty welcome at the hands of our
 readers and at the same time congratulate them that we have been able to secure this
 certainly wonderful and charming tale.