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 Wednesday, October 21, 2009

January 24, 1842: Lago de Garda

At 2 in the afternoon left Verona by the Diligenza - or rather an adjunct. The vehicle itself being full with passengers direct from Venice - the Junta is a miserable carriage open and exposed to the weather, but thank fortune it was not cold. In a few hours were at the Lago di Garda and crossed the bridge of the mincio which is the outlet of the lake and joins the Po at Mantua. As it was dark saw nothing of Sermion the residence of Catullus but changed horses at Desanzeno - which is the port at the foot of the lake, and to where the steamer comes that plies along the lake to Riva at the head.

By midnight arrived at Brescia a small but apparently well built town, found a cup of hot cafe con latte very acceptable & was fortunate in getting a seat in the intorno of the diligence - owin D unfavourable state of the roads and worse horses made very slow progress -