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, November 20, 2009

February 26, 1842: Diligence

One of the most conspicuous objects in Chambery is the monument erected by the city to the memory of Benoit de Boigne, who died at a good old age in l830. Was the founder of a hospital, and benefactor of the charitable institutions of the place to the amount of 3,700,000 francs. He amassed this immense fortune in India in the service of the East India company and returned to his native place where he spent the remainder of his days and so highly benefited.

This is a rainy day and cannot see the few other places in the vicinity, that we intended. Taken my place in the diligence to leave at 11 tonight for Geneva. Strolled under the arcades of the principal street, went into the cathedral -the sculptures of the facade broken by the french in the revolution. Nothing particular to see in the interior. Time hangs heavy in a little town on a rainy day. The population of Chambery is said to be 15,000 -