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 Friday, March 20, 2009

May 19, 1841: On the Boat

The sea presents the same appearance as yesterday - saw in the distance a British man of war and frigate which we suppose is the Benbow that left Malta for Corfu on Sunday last - passed the day in pacing the deck and reading the Handbook - there is also a lady passenger with a very rattling tongue who affords some amusement - was surprised to find she was an american Mrs going to join her husband at Constantinople - there are three English ladies also - bound to Athens they are single - neither very young nor very handsome but apparently of good mutual accomplishments - understand they are on some such a pious mission as establishing a school for poor greeks at Athens - with the 2nd one played at chef's in the evening - as it got rather late the youngest (miss Rebecca) - puemtorily stopped us by upsetting the chessmen - which the other bore with a good deal of good nature -

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