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 Monday, December 7, 2009

March 16, 1842: Paris

Passed through Nogent in the night and by daylight this morning was at Charenton - on the outskirts of Paris. Entering the city, along the quays on the seine, passing the Jardin des Plantes. Crossed the Pont Neuf and along the noble facade of the Louvre. Have put up at the Hotel de Paris in Rue Richlieu near the Boulevard Italien. Table d'hote five francs and room three - everything in first rate style, but much more expensive than what I have lately paid in Italy and elsewhere.

A fine spring day - the garden of the Tuileries and the Champs Elysees filled with promenaders - nurses with children in immense quantity - walked as far as the arc de l'Etoile [photo taken circa 1900] -