Take them into the church:  talent has always something worth hearing, tact is sure of abundance of hearers; talent may obtain a living, tact will make one; talent gets a good name, tact a great one; talent convinces, 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; talent is honored with approbation, 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.  It has a knack of slipping into place with a sweet silence and glibness of movement, as a billiard ball insinuates itself into the pocket.

It seems to know everything, without learning anything.  It has served an extemporary apprenticeship; it wants no drilling; it never ranks in the awkward squad; it has no left hand, no deaf ear, no blind side.  It puts on no look of wondrous wisdom, it has no air of profundity, but plays with the details of place as dexterously as a well-taught hand flourishes over the keys of the pianoforte.  It has all the air of commonplace, and all the force and power of genius.

XIX.  SPEECH BEFORE THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION. (115)

Patrick Henry, 1730-1799, was born in Hanover County, Virginia, He received instruction in Latin and mathematics from his father, but seemed to develop a greater fondness for hunting, fishing, and playing the fiddle than for study.  Twice he was set up in business, and twice failed before he was twenty-four.  He was then admitted to the bar after six weeks’ study of the law.  He got no business at first in his profession, but lived with his father-in-law.  His wonderful powers of oratory first showed themselves in a celebrated case which he argued in Hanover Courthouse, his own father being the presiding magistrate.  He began very awkwardly, but soon rose to a surprising height of eloquence, won his case against great odds, and was carried off in triumph by the delighted spectators.  His fame was now established; business flowed in, and he was soon elected to the Virginia Legislature.  He was a delegate to the Congress of 1774, and in 1775 made the prophetic speech of which the following selection is a portion.  It was his own motion that the “colony be immediately put in a state of defense.”  During the Revolution he was, for several years, Governor of Virginia.  In 1788 he earnestly opposed the adoption of the Federal Constitution.  When he died, he left a large family and an ample fortune.  In person, Mr. Henry was tall and rather awkward, with a face stern and grave.  When he spoke on great occasions, his awkwardness forsook him, his face lighted up, and his eyes flashed with a wonderful fire.  In his life, he was good-humored, honest, and temperate.  His patriotism was of the noblest type; and few men in those stormy times did better service for their country than he. ###