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 Sunday, October 11, 2009

January 8, 1842: Hope

The Italians are celebrated as poets - many there are, but in the great number, few shine above mediocrity. La mia padrona prides herself in having one among her friends, his name is Jean Jacques Pezzi. He was lately at the Ganzoni palace - and wrote the following lines in her album "La Sera Speranza" -

[Poem in Italian. See photo below]

The above lines are addressed to the Signora, the daughter of my hostess who is under promise of marriage to a young gentleman, studying law at the university of Padua and is to wait two years. Rather a long time I should say to amuse herself with the pleasures of Hope -