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 Tuesday, November 10, 2009

February 16, 1842: Echo

The fashionables of Milan certainly do not go to the opera to listen to the music. Last night there was such loud talkers in the boxes, that it was impossible to hear anything of the Maria Padilla of Dorrizetti. Whatever the ladies can find to say I can't immune, but there they sit for four hours chattering incessantly so that to a stranger without acquaintances or company the opera of Milan is quite a bore - shall not go again. To sit there like Hogarths critic, while all around is gaiety and amusement, but not at the performance. Besides, one gets tired of gazing -