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 Sunday, March 15, 2009

May 14, 1841: Arriving at Malta

On the deck of the steamer at day light this morning, before us at a distance was a barren looking shore, as we approached buildings and for fortifications became visible but not a tree or the verdesse to be seen - we entered a port under the guns of immense fortress - inside were lying at anchor 11 line of battleships this is Malta - and am now writing this at the hotel Clarence in the Strada reale of the city of Valetta - the steamer Oriental has just come in from England, and hear of the death of president Harrison and sorry to learn that the New York steamship President had not yet been heard from

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