Stevenson's Perfect Virtues, as Exemplified by Leigh Hunt

In Short

This book is a graceful, appreciative study of the writer Leigh Hunt, framed by the conviction that gentleness and cheerfulness are the ultimate human virtues. By examining Hunt’s essays, poems, and personal correspondence, the text argues that he maintained an indomitable spirit despite chronic poverty, social judgment, and personal hardship. It serves as both a biographical tribute and an ethical manifesto, encouraging the reader to reject gloom in favor of a "cheerful religion" that finds beauty in books, nature, and the simple elements of existence.

The Story

The narrative begins with a premise borrowed from Robert Louis Stevenson: that gentleness and cheerfulness, when combined, create the most companionable and admirable of men. The author presents Leigh Hunt not as a faultless figure, but as a man who consciously practiced these virtues as a duty to others and a tribute to the world. Hunt’s life, described as a series of billows and trials, is shown to be a "track of radiance" because he refused to let his misfortunes dictate his inner weather.

The arc of the discussion moves through the various facets of Hunt’s character. We see him as a generous friend, opening his home to the ailing Keats and serving as a central, magnetic force for the literary figures of his day. Yet, the story acknowledges the friction he faced, most notably the unfair caricature of him as the character "Harold Skimpole" in Charles Dickens’s Bleak House. This section of the book carefully unpacks the public and private fallout of that portrayal, revealing a man who was deeply wounded by the misrepresentation, yet who ultimately maintained his dignity and refused to abandon his principles.

As the account progresses, it delves into the material reality of Hunt’s life—his lifelong struggle with debt, his plain dress, and his austere diet—contrasting these "worldly" failures with his internal abundance. The author provides a vivid portrait of a man who could find delight in a single flower, a passage of music, or the sunlight hitting a humble wall. The narrative reaches its conclusion by cementing Hunt’s legacy through his own words—specifically his famous poem "Abou Ben Adhem," which serves as the perfect epitaph for a man who asked only to be remembered as one who loved his fellow human beings. The book finishes with a series of intimate, often heart-wrenching letters from Hunt to his wife and friends, where even in moments of near-starvation, his voice remains steadfastly bright and encouraging. The final takeaway is an invitation to the reader: in a world that often feels like a tomb, the act of "marking only the bright hours" is the most necessary and noble service one can offer.

How It Unfolds

The foundational philosophy The book opens by defining cheerfulness not as a lack of trouble, but as an active, disciplined response to it. By quoting Stevenson, the author sets a standard for the "perfect virtues" that will guide the entire evaluation of Hunt’s character.

The social circle The focus shifts to the domestic life of Hunt, detailing the gatherings of literary giants in his home. These anecdotes demonstrate how his infectious spirit transformed simple suppers into memorable, joyous occasions.

The conflict of reputation The text addresses the damaging portrait drawn by Dickens in Bleak House. This section explores the tension between public perception and the reality of a man who practiced self-denial while offering an asylum to others.

The internal world The narrative examines Hunt’s habits—his love for the "simple element" of water, his dedication to his library, and his daily walks. This illustrates how he constructed a life of intellectual and emotional richness despite significant financial limitations.

The final testament The book closes with a collection of private correspondence and poetic excerpts. These pieces provide a raw look at Hunt’s final years, affirming that his optimism remained the defining feature of his existence until the very end.

The People

Leigh Hunt is the anchor of the book. He is presented as a "gifted, gentle, patient, and valiant" soul who lacks the skill to manage money but possesses an genius for managing happiness. He is the "original" who suffers for his unconventionality but transcends it through his unwavering kindness.

Charles Dickens acts as the antagonist, though a complicated one. His act of caricature in Bleak House is analyzed as an ungenerous mistake, and his later attempts to backtrack are viewed with skepticism. He serves to highlight the contrast between a man who lives for outward success and one who lives by inner conviction.

Thornton Hunt, Leigh’s eldest son, acts as a primary witness and defender. His recollections are vital in providing an honest look at his father’s "ostentatious wilfulness" in maintaining a cheerful demeanor, revealing that it was a deliberate, often difficult, choice rather than an effortless temperament.

In Its Own Voice

"Hunt never gave dinners, but his suppers of cold meat and salad were cheerful and pleasant; sometimes the cheerfulness (after a 'wassail bowl') soared into noisy merriment." —The author quotes Barry Cornwall to illustrate the warm, informal atmosphere of Hunt’s home.

"Say I'm weary, say I'm sad; Say that health and wealth have missed me; Say I'm growing old, but add-- Jennie kiss'd me!" —This poem, attributed to Hunt, is used to show how he could transmute life's disappointments into a moment of pure, lighthearted joy.

"My friends who know me most intimately say there are two things in my life that may not be quite normal--my fondness for work, and my liking for Leigh Hunt." —The author offers this personal confession to explain why he has dedicated such care to reviving Hunt’s reputation.

What It's Really About

The central question of the book is whether cheerfulness can be considered a moral imperative rather than a mere personality trait. The author argues that happiness is a "talisman against trouble," a tool used to survive the "sea of troubles" that every human must navigate. The book challenges the reader to consider if the true measure of a person lies in their bank account or in their ability to "plant a flower" where a thistle once grew. It is an argument for the intellectual and spiritual discipline required to remain kind and hopeful in an often indifferent or cynical world.

Why Read It Today

This book is a tonic for those who find the modern world overly dour or obsessed with material success. It is written with an old-fashioned, earnest warmth that feels like a conversation by a fireplace. The reader should be prepared for the author’s Victorian-era sentimentality and his unabashed hero-worship of Hunt, which occasionally leans into the hagiographic. The language is precise and often lyrical, reflecting the early twentieth-century style of the private press movement.

You will love this if you appreciate literary biography that prioritizes the spirit of the subject over a dry recitation of facts. It is a slow, meditative read, best suited for an afternoon when you have the patience to sit with an author who believes in "the bright hours." What stays with you is not the history, but the quiet, persistent image of a man drinking water, reading old books, and choosing to be happy because, as he believed, it is the only way to truly honor the world.