A Fragment on Progress. Inaugural Address Delivered on his Installation as Lord Rector.

BALFOUR, Arthur James.

$1,500.00

Item Number: 117521

Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1892.

First edition of Balfour’s Inaugural Address delivered on his installation as Lord Rector . Octavo, bound in full calf with Balfour’s signature stamped in gilt to the front panel. Presentation copy, inscribed by Arthur James Balfour on the front free endpaper, “‘B. Mallet, with the kindest regards of Arthur James Balfour. 18.8.92.” The recipient, Bernard Mallet, later Sir Bernard Mallet, was a civil servant who served as Balfour’s private secretary. Later, he was Registrar General and President of the Royal Statistical Society from 1916 to 1918. He married Marie Adeane, who at various times was a Maid of Honour to Queen Victoria and had two sons, one of whom was Sir Victor Mallet, the diplomat. In very good condition.

Arthur James Balfour was born of an ancient Scottish family and was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. He served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1902 to 1905. He was later First Lord of the Admiralty in Asquith's coalition government in the first World War, and foreign Minister under Lloyd George (1916-1919). As Foreign Secretary in the Lloyd George ministry, he issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917 on behalf of the cabinet promising support for a Jewish National home in Palestine.