Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-05-05
TACT AND TALENT.


Talent is something, but Tact is everything
Talent is serious, sober, grave, and respecta-
bic. Tact is all that, and more, too. 1t is not
seventh sense, but it is the life of all the five.
1t is the open eye, the quick ear, the judging
taste, the keen smell, and the lively touch. 1t
is the interpreter of all riddles, the surmount-
er of all difficulties, the remover of all obsta-
cles. 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 !; Talent makes man
respectable, Tact will make him respected /;
Talent is wealth, Tact is ready money. For
all the practical purposes of life, Tact carries
it against Talent-ten to one. Take them to
the theatre, and put them against each other
on the stage, and talent shall produce you a
tragedy that will scarcely live long enough to
be despised, while Tact keeps the house in a
roar, night after night, with its successful far
ces. 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 respect
able pieces which are not successful. Take
them to the bar and let them shake their learn
ed cur1s at each other in legal rivalry; Talent
sees its way clearly, but Tact is first at its jour-
ney's end. Talent has many a compliment
torneys and clients. Talent speaks learnedly
and logically Tact triumphantly. Talent makes
the world wonder that it gets on no faster ;
Tact excites 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; it
takes all hints and, by keeping its eye on the
weathercock, is ready to take advantage CT ev-
cry wind that blows. Take them into the
church. Talent has always something worth
hearing Tact is sure of abundance of hear
ers. Take them into Journalism. Talent
writes for the paper; Tact makes it succeed.
Talent may obtain living Tact will make
one. Talent gets good name; Tact great
one. Talent convnces Tact converts. Tai
ent is an honor to the profession 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 appreciation Tact is
blessed by preferment. Place them in the Sc
nate. Talent has the ear Of the house but
Tact wins its heart, and has its votes. Talent
is fit for employment; but Tact is fitted for it.
1t has a knack of slipping into place with a
sweet silence and glibness of movement, as q
billiard-ball insinuates itself into the pocket.
1t seems to know everything, without learn
ing anything. 1t has served an invisible and
extemporary apprenticeship. II wants no drill
ling. 1t never ranks in the awkward squad.
III mas no lett nanU, no ueai ear, DO DllHu sue.
1t puts on looks of wondrous wisdom it has
no air of profundty, but plays with the details
of place as dexterously as well-taught hand
fiourShes over the keys of a piano-forte. 1t
has all the air of commonplace, and all the
force and power of genius. 1t changes sides
with heyprest0 movement, and be at all points
of the compass, while Talent is ponderously
and learnedly sitting single point. Talent
calculates clearly, reasons logically, maks out
cla inhf nd nit ItS nro-
cleS with all the weight of justice and reason.
Tact refutes without contradicting, puzzles the
profound with profundity, and without wit out
wits the wise. Set them together on a race
for popularity, pen in hand, and Tact will dis
tance Talent by half the course. Talent brings
to market that which is wanted Tact produ-
ces that which is wished for. Talent instructs;
Tact enlightens. Talent leads where no one
follows Tact follows where the humor leads.
Talent is pleased that it ought to have sue
ceeded Tact is delighted that it has succeed
ed. Talent tolls for a posterity which never
will repay is; Tact throws away no pains, but
catches the passion of the passing hour. Ia
lent builds for eternity; Tact on short lease,
and gets good interest. Talent is certainly a
very fine thing to talk about, q very good thing
to be proud OF, very glorious eminence to
look down from, but Tact is useful, portable.
applicable, always alive, always alert, always
mark etable it is the talent of talents, the a.
vailableness of resources, the applicability oi
power, the eye of discrimination, the right
hand of intellect.-Essdys and Sketches.