Arthur James Balfour served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1902 to 1905, but he was also a noted philosopher and man of letters. In this speech delivered to the students of St. Andrews University in 1887, Balfour expounds on the joys and benefits of reading. He argues that literature, properly understood and practiced, can be a source of great intellectual, moral, and even spiritual nourishment. This eloquent and inspiring address is essential reading for book lovers and anyone interested in the power of ideas.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.