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 Thursday, December 10, 2009

March 19-20, 1842: St. Germain Auxerrois

[March 19] At the opera of the acadamie royale this evening to see the performance of the new opera the reine de Cherre - Dupies the tenor pleased me best -

[March 20] Showers all day with scarce an interval to allow a short walk. Stepped into the church of St. Germain Auxerrois. Much amused at the theatrical manner in which the acolytes swing the censors at the opera comic in the evening - Richard cour de Lion and the Domino noir -