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, September 11, 2009

November 30, 1841: A fine day, a lackluster dinner.

A fine bright day took an open bark - and went to an island about two miles from the city - called Murana - where is a town celebrated for its manufacture of looking glasses and glass beads such as are used in the Indian and African trades - also for ornamental work as bags, purses etc.

The process was shown to us in all its stages - and is very curious - on return entered the city by the back part, there are as many canals as streets, and bridges without end - dined at a truttona called the Napore - dinner not first rate.