The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-11
The SAVING Grace OF Tact.


everyday affairs is the possession OF tact IL IL
Il trait OF character which counts FOR much more
than ready to credit offhand and ITS ior,u-
possessor Is far better equipped than ms lei-
lows for his iife-wcrk 1t is gift as much 70
/ be desired by men as by women. and yet through
force of circumstances probably, or because VI
| a woman's aptitude to make the most OF her natu-
raj endowments, IL has become, perhaps, her most
valuable asset. Its possession forms one OF her
greatest attractions the lack of IT makes her
dull and uninteres ing 1t was only short "hiIe
ago that writer the subject predicted that at
some period in th.-not far distant future sle-
cal course in tact would constitute II part oi .ie
( curriculum of every college for women, ana wnie,
/ naturally. such possibility is too remote TO De
seriously consider 81, II must be admitted that the
cultivation of this particular characteristic Is Ger
tainly much to be desired as is the mastery Oh
many of those higher branches which, as RUE
quickly forgotten by the average woman
upon her entrance into the social world 1t Is
argued that tact must be Unborn, that IT cannot De
acquired, and that unless II comes natnfaly 10
person 40 amount OF P"fsttas4ei' or
can induce its presence. This Is probably true
20 an extent least, for those qualities OF MIND
and heart which breathed into our beings at
birth can be made to order, ii were, upon
demand any more than our features can be re-
placed by others more TO our taste. However,
there many women who while possessing the
virtue of a limited degree, need only the
opportunity for Its full development, and is to
these especially that it's cultivation Would
be OF best advantage
AS rule. give little thought to the part
which this factor plays in life's perpiexities 1t
is such hard thing to describe adequately; its
very eusiveness is one of its chefest charms, and
yet the woman who is endowed with 1t to any
marked degree is "A woman who Is well known and
we'll beloved in the circles in which she moves.
IL stop reflect upon the women of our ac-
ausintance whose personalities have impressed
most favorably find ourselves unconsciously
singing out those whose greatest asset is their
gift OF tact. that quality of their nature which
enables them at all times and under all condi-
tons to do just exactly the right thing In just the
proper way. We recall many incidents in
our past lives where threatened unpleasantness
was dissipated by the exercise OF that gentle
charm OF manner which always disarms unworthy
| sentiments and which soothes rufied feelings by
the magic of its influence.
Not only in our social intercourse. but in all
relations of life, the saving grace of tact helps
to make the way little easier. That which viii
/ a person in will not always apply
in another, and the natural intuition to know how
to adjust ones feelings suit the varying moods
Of numerous companions serves It's possessor In
good stead How TO get along with each other Is
of vastly more importance than storing ones
mind with the learning of the ages. The latter
act is largely the result OF a continuous applica-
tlcn which predisposes man to become engrossed
iii his own interests, and thus get out OF touch
with his mel hbors, while the art of knowing how
to get along With other persons sounds the depths
of humanity's heart and makes want to do our
part to advance the cause of our great brother
hood. There are many ways by which may
learn to live In peace and contentment with those
! about us, many ways in which solve
the problem OF being friends always. Nature is
sponsor for many of the requisites OF high living,
/ and running in and out among the blessings and
endearlng qualities with which she endows
kind is the delicate tracery OF a subtle charm
which we call tact Some persons even speak of IT
the supreme gift. and in many ways it meas
ures up to that description. That its power Is
magical at times cannot be denied. and he who
possessing 1t correctly estimates it's value holds
the golden key which unlocks many treasures.
To know when to speak liz sometimes as vital AS
TO know. What to say Personal reserve and pei
sonal frankness both qualities TO be desired.
but they can both be overdone. and much OF the
unhappmess Of the present day is directly trace
able to the fact that too little said one
occasion or perhaps too much on another. The
thoughtless rushing in where angels fear
to tread has worked more havoc than could well
be estimated and above and beyond everything
else the ineXcusable disposition OF some persons
TO intrude into other. persons' affairs and insist
upon bestowtng unsolicited advice il hard to be
endured little tact, little kindly thought of
others, would save many a hopeless struggle
Some of the greatest victories in the world have
oeen through the exercise Of that quality
OF character which most persons do not consider
Ct much consequence. victories of moral worth
well as of material value, and the or the
who possesses the merest sugges-
tnn of this desirable quality could make mis-
take by working for its highest development.-Ex-