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, December 15, 2009

March 27, 1842: Dogmarket

At the dogmarket, but did not find a very choice collection of animals for sale. It is held at the Boulevard de l'Hopital - near the Hospice Salpetriere into which I went and was surprised at the extent. For aged & infirm females and being a fine day many of them were walking about the courts, clean end neatly dressed.

One to whom I spoke told me they were in number about five thousand. It was built in the reign of Louis 13th and is in fact a little town of itself, streets, squares a fine promenade and magnificent church-