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, December 20, 2009

April 4-10, 1842: Leisure Day

Spent these days in leisure and amusements, visited the exhibition at the Louvre. The fortifications which are beginning to rise from their foundations in different quarters around Paris, particularly at the Bois de Boulogne.

Rode out to the detached Fort at Mont Calvaire - had a beautiful view of the city and surrounding country. Also, from the top of the arc de l'Etoile and while there the King rode past in carriage and six on his way to St. Cloud and Versailles. At the Theatre Francais attended the performance of Molieres' Misanthrope and the couturiers at the Port St. Martin -