Rev. Professor Alexander .V G. Allen, of the Episcopal Theological Seminary here in Cambridge, addressed a large number of students in Sever 11 last evening on "General Reading as an Element in Education." In the older days, education was broad and general; now everyone and everything tends towards specialism. General culture must be the result of self imposed labours if it is to be had at all and certainly no one can be considered well educated unless he possess a general knowledge of literature. General reading leads to individuality and original work; it ministers more directly to personality. The late Thomas DeQuincy, a self educated man, divided reading into two classes; that for information and that for power. Literature for information is overwhelmingly abundant in this century. Essays are written on every conceivable subject. The newspapers and magazines are filled with them. This is writing for information. However, so much is written every day that if one were to read from morning to night, it would be impossible to cover all that is interesting. The Edinburch Review and London Quarterly are the two great sources of informatory literature in England. Next to these comes the long list of short books, one-volume books, epitomes and analyses of longer books. They take it for granted that everyone is in a hurry and state a mass of facts which it is almost impossible to remember. Therefore, such books are dangerous. What is easily gained is easily lost. It is the time spent over a book which gives one a lasting familiarity with its contents.

But I do not mean, said Mr. Allen, to decry all small books; many of the greatest works in literature are short, but the epitomes of larger books of information are to be avoided. Reading these short volumes produces an impression of erudition but it is superficial and does not last. There are no short cuts to knowledge.

The literature of power includes the works of the imagination, novels and dramas and the like. Men of large observation are the authors of the greatest works of human literature. The Iliad and Odyssey give evidence of this; with St. Augustine it was the same. Dante, during his long weary exile devoted himself to observation. Shakspere, it is needless to speak of. Goethe saw things as did no one else. Browning's greatness lies in the results of his observation. These are the great names in the literary history of the world. The same statements, however, are true of the lesser characters; - Scott, Burns, Gray, Wordsworth, Dickens, Thackeray and Jane Austen. The power of observation is the pre-eminent characteristic of them all. Sympathy and enthusiasm accompany all close observation and genius may be described as the labour of untiring observation. Nor is this power great in works of fiction only. In science Agassiz and Darwin were peculiarly gifted in this direction.

In history we are awaiting the man who will give us literature and not a mere dull record of facts. It must be made interesting to avail much. Most writers speak of the pleasure to be derived from reading. The ascetic element in New Englanders demands more than that. Therefore, it is the general good to be derived from it which I wish to emphasize. However, it is not only the writers of truths which are attractive; Voltaire, in spite of his petty foibles, Sydney Smith and Lamb with their delightful humor, Heine and Kant; they all have their virtues.

It was the Westminster Review which first gave Professor Allen a taste for general reading. The book notices of that magazine were especially excellent in the old days. The critics probably read the books they discussed - which is saying a good deal. Coleridge was the first author to offer great attractions and he became a guide, philosopher and friend. Carlyle said he "introduces one to more literature than almost anyone else." He was an interpreter of life at every point. But there are other guides perhaps as good and although they differ among themselves, any one will serve Carlyle or Emerson, Ruskin or Browning. It is not of much importance how one arrives in the "Kingdom of Literature," so long as one is there. Literature should be subservient to life. It is the highest outcome of the progress of man.

One will do well to free himself of the idea that great books go by fashion but we must read some books because the world is reading them; we must keep "in touch" with society. Such was the popularity of Uncle Tom's Cabin that Thackeray regretted he had not made a negro the hero of Henry Esmond which appeared in the same year.

Of the novel it is not needful to say much here. It has its place; relaxation is necessary. Paradise lost and paradise regained makes up the story of human life. Begin your course of reading with what is interesting and in this way you will gain a taste for literature which will be invaluable.