The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1898-04-21
TYPES OF MEN AND WOMEN.
The Genius and the Talented.
No. II.

No. ii.
In considering those who belong to
the -parasitical class of men aAd
women-the genius and the talented
we are confronted with two gifts to
mankind that are alike and yet unlike.
From a human standpoint the latter is
preferable, but from any other, the
loftiness and intnitive ease of genius
cannot be fully appreciated by those
that do not possess it; it can only be
envied. The difference between genius
and talent is very great. Genius has
never been we'll defined. Webster
calls it "mental superiority" but his
definition, while precise, does not sat
isfy. True it is that mental superior
ity gives birth to genius, but there are
exceptions to every rule, and this one
especially, Genius is great vague,
indescribable gift from the Father Of
men. If man is born q genius in the
lowest level of life and is restricted
from all practical advantages, he will
prove, despite all, his wonderful gift
and assert it in the face of the world,
whereas, if that genius had been tai
ent, it would have died with him, un-
known. Why? Because genius needs
not cultivation to assert itself, while
talent does. Genius, like Banquo's
ghost, will not be put down. A great
wall reaching to the skies may be lifted
round about it, but slowly and surely
it will overtop even that. Genius can
no more be restrained than the SWELL
ing tide of the ocean. Only those up.
on whose brows the hot hand OF Des-
tiny has been placed are in the ranks
of genius, for genius can not be gained
either by pursuit or endeayor; it is
Heaven born. Often the question is
asked: Why is it that talent fails where
genius invariably succeeds2 Genius is
crelted to succeed, to scale the heights
as a warrior goes to battle, with su-
preme ease and confidence. In short
talent is crushable-genius is not.
Among the ranks of great men anC
women we ometimes find it difficult
to distinguish between genius ant
talent, for talent may be so cultivated
as to assume the form of genius. Many
are the small things of life that revea
the inner man. Watch him; see if he
bends eagerly toward the applaudins
multitudes with proud eyes and tri
lmphant mein, or receives it with tn
| glad indifference of genius.
Genius, like a silver throated bird
gives all its wonderful power ant
greatest songs to the world, asking n,
reward save Gods pure sunshine AM
lightsome air. The struggling of tn
plebian masses float across his undis
turbed soul like the noise of far ava,
battle What cares he for it? III
lives in world of his own, and tha
world is his soul. There all his strug
giles take place, all his passions spen
their force.
i Is genius enyiable? Is greatness
enviabe? While the two words ar
not synoAomcus they suggest each th
Other. In great man we expeC
genius; in agenius, greatness. If W
do aot find them, we are disappointed
il we do, we critisize him. True is tn
old adage, Uneasy lies the head tina
wears crown" In the present cas-
u the president of the United States
is he not bitterly censured for his az
tions in regard to the war about t.
commence? Whatever he does. ther
will always be carping critics ready t
sneer. All, these pitiable wretches 8
weak in their strength, finding the
plel@ure injurs and insults, ready I
sneer at the very sunlight, having lof
all belief in the goodness Of humanity
or if they haven't, trying to oonvinc
everybody that they have. Why, o.
God dost thou permit them to exist
They go about defaming Thy Haudi
work, attempting to convince men tina
the world is merely hot-bed Of evi
rom which death is welcome relie
hat VOWS are false, hope snare, haF
piness delusion, and that life in il
self is a curse-a long, dark horror tha
stretches before us without end It
falsel The world holds noble men an
women, pure hearts and uaselfis
minds. Life is great, glorious, beat
tiful boon, from Him that giveth nott
ing morbid to his children. Giveth
Ayel He giveth us all things brigh
and we turn them into darkness.
The world is full Of false doctrines
false views, false hopes, false preacl
ling who is it that spreads them?
J Men Of morbid genius, perhaps
men with genius that would not /
, nerbid, but for the blasting bite