The Vagabond in Literature

In Short

This book offers a series of character studies examining the "Vagabond temperament" in literature. Through the lives and works of writers like William Hazlitt, Thomas De Quincey, George Borrow, Henry David Thoreau, Richard Jefferies, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Walt Whitman, the author argues that a shared instinct for wandering—whether physical or intellectual—defines a specific, high-order type of genius. By distinguishing true, spirit-led vagabondage from superficial Bohemianism, the work explores how these men navigated the tension between their inherent restlessness and the conventions of the society they left behind.

The Story

The narrative begins by defining the "Vagabond" not as a social outcast, but as a person driven by a specific internal constitution: restlessness, a deep connection to the Earth, and a constitutional reserve that keeps them slightly apart from the crowd. The author establishes this framework to move past mere gossip about writers’ eccentricities, focusing instead on how their neuroses and wanderlust fueled their unique intellectual output.

The journey continues through individual portraits. We see Thomas De Quincey, whose dreamlike, abstract prose is traced to his uneasy relationship with London’s "stony-hearted" streets and his own internal phantasies. Next, the focus shifts to George Borrow, whose intense egoism and picaresque adventures are analyzed through his strange, emotionally distant interactions with figures like Isopel Berners. The author does not shy away from the chilliness of Borrow’s character, viewing it as a barrier that prevented him from achieving true intimacy.

The trajectory then moves to the naturalists. Henry David Thoreau is presented as a practical man of action whose experiment at Walden was a deliberate, rational choice rather than a flight from duty. The author contrasts him with Richard Jefferies, a more feverish, passionate observer of nature who lacked Thoreau’s scholarly system and instead sought the "glory of the sum of things."

As the book progresses, it encounters Robert Louis Stevenson, framed as a master of "bravado" who used his craft to navigate physical frailty. Finally, the study concludes with Walt Whitman. Here, the author synthesizes the preceding ideas, positioning Whitman as the ultimate "Demos" made articulate. Unlike the others, who might retreat to the woods, Whitman is presented as a spiritual native of both the wilderness and the city streets. The arc ends with a critical defense of Whitman’s controversial treatment of sex, arguing that his "rank and healthy animality" serves a vital, democratic purpose in literature that transcends the narrow morality of his contemporaries. Throughout these chapters, the author maintains that while these men were often difficult, neurotic, or self-absorbed, their collective refusal to conform provided the essential friction needed to create lasting, visionary art.

How It Unfolds

Defining the temperament The introduction establishes the core thesis: vagabondage is an attitude of spirit, not dress. It identifies three markers—restlessness, earth-love, and reserve—that set these writers apart from the "town-made" Bohemian.

The dreamers of the city The analysis turns to De Quincey, investigating how his early life in London and his reliance on abstract rhetoric transformed his writing into a ghostly, dreamlike experience. It argues that his wit, while present, often lacked the genuine, airy quality of true humor.

The picaresque road The study shifts to Borrow, examining his fascination with rogues and gypsies. The author dissects the "Isopel Berners" episode to highlight Borrow’s inability to break through his own intense egoism.

The naturalist’s experiment Thoreau is framed as a practical craftsman, countering the common view of him as a mere recluse. The text explores why his "Emersonian" attempts to systematize his philosophy often invited undue criticism.

The intensity of the Earth Richard Jefferies is introduced to contrast with Thoreau. The author highlights Jefferies’ sensuous, nerve-driven appreciation for the "splendid waste" of nature, moving away from Thoreau's cool, calm reflection.

The final synthesis The book concludes with Stevenson and Whitman. It explores the power of "bravado" in the face of suffering and argues that Whitman’s comprehensive, democratic vision represents the final, fullest expression of the Vagabond spirit.

The People

The figures chosen are defined by their resistance to the "schoolhouse of convention." William Hazlitt and Thomas De Quincey represent the intellectual side of the temperament, with De Quincey’s abstract, ghostly prose acting as a shield against the harsh, concrete reality of the city. George Borrow appears as a man of contradictions, possessing a deep, sympathetic understanding of the gypsy life while remaining fundamentally fenced in by an impenetrable ego. Henry David Thoreau is stripped of his "hermit" reputation and shown as a capable, manual laborer whose life in the woods was a deliberate, poetic experiment. Richard Jefferies provides the counterpoint to Thoreau; where Thoreau is the quiet naturalist, Jefferies is the feverish, excitable soul who experiences nature through his nerves. Robert Louis Stevenson is the master of performance, using his art as a brave face against illness. Finally, Walt Whitman stands as the ultimate democrat, a figure who transcends the others by refusing to leave the world of men, choosing instead to find the "elemental" in the heart of the crowded city.

In Its Own Voice

"Bohemianism indeed is largely an attitude of dress; Vagabondage an attitude of spirit."

The author clarifies the distinction between those who merely adopt a lifestyle and those who are inherently driven by a nomadic nature.

"To Thoreau the Earth was a kind and gracious sister; to Jefferies an all-sufficing mistress."

This line encapsulates the core difference between Thoreau’s tranquil, philosophical relationship with nature and Jefferies’ passionate, feverish intensity.

"He has no chair, no church, no philosophy."

This quote highlights the author’s view of Walt Whitman as a man who rejects the formal structures of civilization to remain in touch with primal, elemental truths.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book is a study of the tension between individual genius and the standardizing pressures of society. The author argues that what critics often label as "neurotic" or "eccentric" behavior is actually the inevitable result of a high-functioning intellect refusing to be domesticated. The central question is whether the "Vagabond" can exist within civilization without being crushed or corrupted. The argument is that while these figures often suffer from intense self-consciousness or isolation, their refusal to adhere to the "moralist's" code is exactly what allows them to see the world with such refreshing, tonic clarity. It is a defense of the unconventional life, not as a moral failing, but as a distinct way of perceiving truth.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy literary history that values temperament over dry, academic biography will find this a rewarding, brisk read. The author’s voice is warm, opinionated, and highly readable, though he writes with the Victorian tendency to treat writers as moral case studies. You will find his insights into Thoreau’s practicality and his defense of Whitman’s "healthy animality" to be surprisingly modern.

Be prepared for the author’s period-specific attitudes; his assumptions about "Demos" and his occasionally dismissive treatment of certain "cranks" reflect a turn-of-the-century perspective that may feel dated. He also assumes a reader with a high degree of familiarity with 19th-century literature and its critical landscape. However, for those who admire the works of the writers he discusses, this book acts as a thoughtful companion. It does not try to sell you on these authors with marketing buzz; it invites you into a quiet, intense dialogue about why they still matter. What stays with you is the author’s fundamental sympathy for the "Children of the Open Air"—his ability to see past their flaws and recognize the profound, if sometimes difficult, energy that fueled their work. It is a book for those who want to understand the human cost of living a life off the beaten path.