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 Saturday, September 26, 2009

December 17-18, 1841: The Lagune

There is a change in the weather, the water in the canals has risen and threatens to inundate some of the streets - caused by the wind out at the sea backing up the water into the lagune or lakes on which Venice is situated. From observations taken, the sea gains on the land in this part of the Adriatic - at the rate 4 mis per hundred years.

The place Saint Mark has once been raised a foot and a half - some roman remains have been found near 6 feet under the water which once were even with the surface. This morning we had thunder and lightning and rain has poured down ever since -