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, October 12, 2009

January 10, 1842: Cupid Poem

My padrona came to my room this morning to console me for lame feet caused by tight boots, and prevents my going out - she is very kind, and as amiable as a woman can be who is fresh, & plumb. But past forty, she has found my taste for poetry. She brought me a manuscript poem, which she read with the Venetian accent, and a gallant piece of poetry it is - she had the complaisance to seat herself Reside me while I copied it - as follows:
AMOR CAPUCINO
[poem follows, in Italian]