The Kanzas news., 1858-04-17
EMPORIA, KANZAS, APRIL II, 1858 Vo
Tact and Talent.

~ TacG ana falSQC.
Talent is something, but Tact is every
thing. Talent is serious, sober, grave and
respectable; Tact is all that, and more too
1t IS not a seventh sense, but Is the life of
all the FIVE. It is the open eye, the quick
ear, the judging taste, the keen smell, and
the lively touch. tits the interpreter of all
riddles, the surmounter of all difficulties,
the remover of all obstacles. 1t is useful
in all places, and at all times-it is useful in
solitude, for it shows man his way into
| the world: it is useful in society, for it
shows him his way through the world
Talent is power, Tact is skill; Talent is
weight, Tact is momentum; Talent knows
what TO do, Tact knows how to do it; Tai
ent makes man respectable, Tact will make
him respected; Talent IS wealth, Tact is
ready money. For all the practical purpos-
es of life, Tact carries it against Talent
tento one. Take them to the theatre, and
put them against each other on the stage,
and Talent shall produce you tragedy that
will scarcely live long enough to be damned,
while Tact keeps the house in roar, night
after night, with its successful farces.-i
There is no want of dramatic talent-there
is no want Of dramatic tact-but they are
seldom together; so we have successful
pieces which are not respectable, and re-
spectacle pieces which are not successful.
Take them to the bar, and let them shake
their learned curls at each other in legal ri
valry; Talent sees its way clearly, but Tact
is first at its journeys end. Talent has
many a compliment from the bench, but
Tact touches fees from attorneys and clients
Talent speaks learnedly and logically; Tact
triumphandy. Talent makes the world
wonder that it gets on no faster; Tact ex-
cites astonishment that it gets on so fast
And the secret Is, that it has no weight to
carry; it makes no false steps; it hits the
right nail on the head; it loses no time; il
takes all hints; and. by keeping its eye on
the weathercock, is ready to take advantage
of every wind that blows. Take them into
the church. Talent has always something
worth hearing; Tact is sure of abundance
of hearers. Take them into Journalism
Talent writes for the paper; Tact makes it
succeed. Talent may obtain a living; Tact
will make one. Talent gets good name;
| Tact great one. Talent convinces; Tact
converts. Talent is an honor to the profess
sion; Tact gains honor from the profession.
Take them to court. Talent feels its weight;
Tact finds its way. Talent commands; Tact
is obeyed. Talent is honored with appro-
baton; and Tact is blessed by preferment
Place them IN the Senate Talent has the
ear of the house; but Tact wins its heart,
and has its votes. Talent is fit for employ
ment: but Tact is fitted for it. It has a
knack of slipping into place with a sweet
silence and glibness of movement, as a bill
lizard ball insinuates itself into the pocket.
It seems TO know everything without learn
ing anything. 1t has served an invisible
and extemporary apprenticeship. Il wants
no drilling. 1t never ranks in the awkward
squad. 1t has no left hand, no deaf ear no
blind side. 1t puts on looks of wondrous
wisdom; it has no air of profundity, but
plays with the details of place as dexterous-
ly as well-taught hand fourishes over the
keys of piano-forte. 1t has all the air of
commonplace, and all the force and power
of genius. Itcan change sides with hey
presto movement, and be at all points of the
compass, while Talent is ponde.ously and
lean nedly sitting a single point. Talent cal
culaes clearly, reasons logically, makes out
case as clear as daylight, and utters its
oraces with all the weight of justice and
reason. Tact refutes without contradicting.
puzzles the profound with profundity, and
without wit outwits the wise. SET them to-
getber on a race for popularity, pen in hand,
and Tact will distance Talent by half the
couise. Talent brings to market that which
is wanted; Tact produces that which is
wished for. Talent instructs; Tact enlight-
ems. Talent leads where no one follows;
Tact follows where the humor leads. Tai
ent is pleased that it ought to have succeed
ed; Tact is delighted that it has succeeded.
Talent tolls for posteritv which will never
repay it; Tact throws away no pains, but
catches the passion of the passing hour.
Talent builds for eternity; Tact on short
lease and gets good intarest. Talent is Ger
tainly very fine thing TO talk about, very
good thing to De proud of, very glorious
eminence to look down from; but Tact is
useful, portable, applicable, always alive al
ways alert, alwavs marketable; it Is the tai
enL of talents, the ayailableness of resour-
ces, the applicability of power. the eye of
discrimination, the right hand of intellect.
Essays and Sketches.