Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-01-29
4TAoT AND TAI,ENT CoMpARED.

Talent is something, but tact is everything. Ia;
lent is Serious sober, grave and respectable; tact
is all that and more too 1t is not seventh sense,
but is the life of all the five. II is the open eye,
the quick ear the judging TASTE the keen smell and
the lively touch il is the Interpreter OF all riddles
all obstacles 1t is useful in all places, and at all
times; it Suseful in solitude for-it shows a man
his way into the world; it is useful in society, Tor
it shows him his way through the world. Talent
is power-tact is skill; talent is weght--tact is
momentum; talent knows what to do-tact knows
how to do it talent makes man responsibilities
will make him respected; talent is wealth 0tact is
ready money. For ell the practic purposes of life
tact carries it against talent-ten to one. Take
them to the theatre and pit them against each 9TH
on the stage and talent shall produce you TRACE
dy thatwil scarcely live long enough to be damned,
while tact keeps the house in a roar, night after
night with its successful farces There is no want
of dramatic .alent there is no want Of dramatic
tact but they are seldom together; so we have sue
cessful pieces which are not respectable and respec
table pieces which are not successful Take them
ito the bar, and let them shake their learned curls
at each other in legal rivalry; talent its way
clearly but tact is first at its journeys end Talent
has many compliment from the bench, but tact
touches fees from attorneys and clients. Talent
spexxs learnedly and Iogically-tact triumphantly.
Talent makes the world wonder that it gets on no
faster tact exctes astonishment that it gets on so
last; ana the secret 49, t0a lL mas no weight 10 car
ry; 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 of every wind that blows. Take
them into the church. Talent has always some
thing worth hearing tact is sure of abundance of
hearers. Talent may obtain living tact will make
one. Talent convincss tact converts. Talent 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. TaleHt is bonored with appreciation,
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 employment but tact is fitted for it. 1t has
knack of slipping into place with sweet silence
and gli6ness of movement, billiard ball jnsin-
yates itself into the pocket. 1t seems to know
everything without learning anything. 1t has serv-
ed an invisible and extemporary apprenticeship
1t wants no drilling; it never ranks in the awkward
squad. 1t has no left hand no deaf ear, no blind
side. 1t puts on no looks of wondrous wisdom, it
has air of profundity ;but plays with the details
of place as dexterously well taught hand -four
ishes the keys of the piano forte. 1t has all
the air of commonplace and all the force and power
of genius. 1t can change sides with hey presto
movement, and be at all points of the compass,
while talent is ponderously and lsarnedy shifting
q single point Talent calculates clearly, reas
logically, makes out case as clear as daylight,
and utters its oracles with all the weight of Justice
and reason Tact refutes without contradcting
puzzles the profound without profundity and with
out wit outwits the wise. Set them together on
race for popularity, pen IN hand, and tact will dis
lance talent by half the course Talent brings to
market that which is wanted, tact produces that
which is wished for. Talent instructs; tact en-
lightens. Talent leads where no one follows tact
follows where the humor leads. Talent is pleased
that it ought to have succeeded tact is delighted
that it has succeeded Tient tolls for a posterity
which will never repay it; tact throws away 10
palms. but catches the passion of the passing hour.
Talent builds for eternity; ta3t short lease,
and gets good interest Talent is certainly a very
fine thing to talk about very good thing to be
proud of, a very glorious eminence to look down
from; but tact is useful portable applicable always
alive always alert always marketable; it is>the Ia
lent of talents the availabeness of resources, the
applicability of power the eye Of discrimination the
the right hand Of intellect-RichmOndD Dispatch.