f Religion and Civilisation； ancient Egypt； it is； however； respectfully suggested that they should exercise the art of skipping and open this tale at its second book。
I dedicated “Cleopatra” to my mother； because I thought it the best book I had written or was likely to write； although since then I have modified that opinion in favour or one or two that came after it。 The following letter from her was written not long before her death； and was； I think； the last I ever received from her。
Bradenham： June 29； 1889。
My dearest Rider； — I have only a few minutes to write and thank you for your charming gift； but I must not let the week pass over without my doing so。 I think it is got up as well as possible； and the Dedication is most successfully acplished； which must be as gratifying to you as to me。 I have not thoroughly looked at the illustrations； but see that they are very much more to be liked than those of the Illustrated News。 Thank you greatly for your excellent work； my dear son。 It certainly redounds greatly to you； dearest Rider； whatever the critics may say； and I have no doubt they will do their worst。 But I think posterity will do justice to your production。 I will write no more as I cannot easily add to this。
Your ever most affectionate Mother；
Ella Haggard。
There is also a letter from my father in which he says that my mother opened and looked at the book “not without tears。” Whether she ever read it herself I do not know； for by this time her sight was failing much。
A few months later I stood at her death…bed and received her last blessing。 But of that long…drawn out and very sad scene； even after the lapse of two…and…twenty years； I cannot bear to write。
“Cleopatra” ran serially through the Illustra