Welcome to Henry's Travel Blog!

Although he kept detailed business papers, Missouri Botanical Garden founder Henry Shaw left little personal material for biographers to consider in analyzing his life. One of the few items which remain is a series of five journals. Following his retirement from the hardware business in 1840, Shaw traveled abroad and made notes, recollections, and even sketches in these small bound books. Join us as we chart Henry's journey to Europe and beyond.
 
Shaw's variable spellings, punctuation, and grammar, preserved throughout, are typical even for well-educated gentlemen in the 19th Century. Important note (4/14/09): The entries from March 11, 2009 through April 8, 2009, correspond to recently discovered text from Henry Shaw's journal. They will be posted online under the correct dates to preserve chronological accuracy.
 
   
   

Posted Online Monday, April 20, 2009

June 25, 1841: Giants Mountain

(Henry Shaw's personal map pictured right)

On the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus is a lofty promontory or spur of the Bithynian Olympus - called Giants mountain - crossed the water and ascended to the top - where is a shady grove and a mosque of dervishes - who were very civil offering us coffee and pipes - the place commands a view of the winding Bosphorus and the wide expanding Euxine - on which were ships some sailing in and others out of the Straits -

You see likewise some distance into Europe and the spur of the chain of Mount Hamus - which indeed is a continuation of the Asiatic Olympus - divided by the Bosphorus - these capes and shores are replete with historical recollections commencing with the remote voyage of Jason and the Argaunauts - some ruins of Genoese castles are close by and opposite at Buyukdere are the large plane trees - under which Godfry de Bouillon and the Crusaders encamped - the dervishes shewed us the giants tomb - about 20 feet long and which they call the grave of Joshua and hold in high respect -

Walking to another part of the grave heard female voices singing & caught a glimpse of some turkish females swinging and amusing themselves on the grass in the shade - were soon requested by the dervishes not to go in that direction - the ladies were gaily dressed - and mostly young misses - families who had come to this retired spot to take the fresh air and relaxtion from the confinement of the harem - they were accompanied by a black eunuch - on going away we happened to pass again in sight of them when the fellow came running and bawling after us - lest we should lift our profane eyes, on the pale faced angels under his custody -

They say the turks under the present Sultan are resuming their old strict usages in regard to women - some few years ago I am told great relaxation took place and many liberties allowed, which the ladies did not neglect to profit by - indeed this covering the face is only custom - which they consider themselves obligated to follow in the afternoon returned to the city -

The sun too hot to sail in an open Cayique -

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