Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-02-21
Getting on in Life.

sess, we are inclined to rank as high.
est that peculiar, nameless, almost in
describable talent which enables ITS
possessor to successfully get on in the
world. Every one knows what is
meant by this fortunate intellectual
possession, but very many, il not all.
would be more or less puzzled to accu-
rately analyzc and describe it. 1t is
not, we fancy, so much any one single
endowment that is thus designated, as
it is singularly happy combination
Of traits and qualities, relating to both
mind aud heart. But whatever it is,
or may be, in itself, it certainly is 4
very valuable mental condition or at
tainmcnt.
Human ability in general can be di-
vided into u number Of kinds which
legltimately receive their own distiuc-
tive and proper names. For exam
pie, there is the speculative or phiIos
optical cast OF intellect the ability
10 think long and connectedly upon
abstract truth OF propositions tie
ability to investigate AMI discuss IN.
1elligently the higher range Of ques-
tons and topics in physical, mental
and moral science. Chen there is the
poetical talent the power to see Wis
ions of beauty and phases Of truth il
the scenes and events OF ordinary life.
and the power 10 express these in
easy, flowing and nelodious rhymes.
Then there is the executive talent tie
power to manage well large ana cliti-
cal enterprises ; the power Of hand
ling men ana facts the power t. cor
ry scheme or purpose OF plan into
immediate and telling effect the
power to ''run things generally, OF
make them "go.' Then again there
is the ingenious, inventive talent the
power which makes y man fertile in
eXpcdients and leads him to coulriye
all sorts Of articles Tor ornament or
use, or for both combined. Then there
is the ability 10 write. which nil au,
thors and editors are supposed t.
have ; the ability to sing, play aud
compose which is the peculiar char
acteristic OF musicians the ability TO
initiate and personity which belongs
especially TO actors; together with L
hundred other kinds which We will
not nov attempt to enumerate. But
this peculiar talent tor getting on in
life, is not any one Of these mention
ed, but is rather a mixture Of little Of
each and all Of them.
The man who possesses this talent
is the man who generally succeeds in
whatever business or Worl; he takes
hold of. Ii he makes a mistake, to
which be is as liable rs most men. he
somehow RECEIVERS himself, gets Oh his
feet again and goes ahead. He is one
who knows men pretty well, and
knows how to take advanta ge Of ell
cumstances not in dishonest WY,
but i'll Il way that turns out to his pro-
lit and the turtberance Of his projects
Ii he makes q change in his business
he is sure not to lose anything by it !:
and SO in one way or another, the
years, as they roll, push him and lis
fortunes ever onward. In u word, he
is getting on IN life.
There are often men Of greater tai
ent living by the side OF him who thus
gets on in The world, but there is i
hidden screw loose somewhere in
.Aeir organization. They cant sue
ceed; they don't get on. They are
continually being involved III unlucky
enterprises; their plans and caic0la'
tions miscarry they tail 10 make mat
tiers ''go." They are equally iudus;ri-
Gus, equally careful and prudent,
equally honorable and upright, equally
shrewd, perhaps, in some matters. but
vet the all-lmporiant fact remains, they
don't, and apparently cant, get on in
the world.
We confess TO Il most profound re-
spect for this man who does get on in
life. lie has something in him which
is very valuable something which no
amount OF money can buy, which 10
amount Of art or industry cen com
pletcly fathom or compass. 1t is, es-
sen,ially, unique gift capable of
cultivation, perhaps, to limited cx-
tent but still, after all, an inborn
heritage, a happy birthright, Il glori
ous endowment. Strive Tor this abili.
ty to get on in the world Prairie
Farmer.
One of the saddest sights of these
hard fip,ns 10 to Scn n wnnon with a