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 Saturday, August 29, 2009

November 12, 1841: German lessons continued


German lesson as usual - in the evening to the theatre in the Josephstadt suburb - theatre small - performances similar to the french vaudvilles.

Posted Online Friday, August 28, 2009

November 11, 1841: Klosterneuburg

Took a fiacre and went to a beautifull sunshiny day - the road along the Danube or the Donau as it is called in German - the river is now very low - but the current in many places very rapid - there is, before arriving at Klosterneuberg the lofty eminence overhanging the Danube called The Kahlenberg Mons Cetius of the Romans and constituted the boundary between Noricum and Pannonia - there is a castle on the summit - and is frequently mentioned in the history of Vienna.

At Klosterneuberg we ordered dinner and then went to the monastery - a large and wealthy institution - of a superior order of monks called the regular Lateran canons of St. Augustine - it was founded in the 12th century by Leopold Margrave of Austria - whose tomb is in the church - and his scull covered with a crown of jewels is in the Treasury - there are also jewels and treasure to a large amount - the library contains many curios manuscript books - on of the 8th century - the building is of a noble and princely construction and greater part modern.

Ascended a hill outside the village and had an interesting view of the Danube and surrounding country - - II gioiane prete qhe noi ha mostrato le givielli della Tresoria - era Nanto graziosov ed avevu tanta cortesia nelle sue maniere - presso Karolina, che era veraraente una comedi si vederlo - parlava tudes ca chio niente intendera - ma la bella me dicera che li suoi complimenti er ano molto amorosi - ah! ha! questo prete - il buon vino de Klosterneuberg pare inspirare altri sentimenti, che preghiere e divozione.

Posted Online Thursday, August 27, 2009

November 8-10, 1841: Difficulties with the German language

Every day until 1 o clock at my German teachers - make slow progress in the German language - the difficulties are many - particularly the genders and declension of the substantives - in company with Mr. Simon and his nephew Mons. Buba - visited the civil arsenal - old fashioned arms and armour, trophies & (Print of dancers - Delle Fanni Cerrito (als Sylphide) und Mr. G. Carej (als James Reuben) aus dem neuen Ballete.

Banners taken from the Turks at the two sieges of Vienna - the latter very much in tatters as part of them are more than three centuries old the first siege being by the Sultan Soliman in 1529.

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Posted Online Wednesday, August 26, 2009

November 7, 1841: Great Concert

At 12 attended the great concert at the Imperial Riding School - a fine edifice attached to the palace- a stage constructed at one end contained the performers vocal and instrumental - at the other is the emperor and court - the two galleries and floor of the large building were filled with the audience.

The effect was very fine - the pieces performed were from the music of Handel, Haydn & Beethoven - the Messiah - the return of Tobias and parts of other oratorios - also the overture to the opera of Euryanthe - the vocal parts were very finely done and the number and strength of the instruments equalled the roar of thunder.

Among the instrumental performers with the assistance of my lorgnette descried Mr. Kriesker with his violence - and among the female singers Carlotta - the innocente.

Mentioned Oct. 22nd - going to the Casino to dinner was agreeably surprised to fall in with my Florence friend Mr. Simon - who accompanied by his nephew is returning from Moscow to Italy. With Mr. Simon was very intimate at Florence, and to meet him here at Vienna where I almost know nobody affords me great pleasure - after leaving Italy in March last recounted to me his route thro France to Paris and London & thence to Hamburgh and St. Petersburgh - kept company the remainder of the day went to Strauss's concert - thence to the performance of the Sylphide at the Karthner Thor Theatre - and lastly to a supper room and ball at a house called the Sperle - there were more eaters than dancers - at one table sat a bride and a gay wedding party - all of the lower class but well dressed and of correct deportment.

The waltzing was anything but gracefull - and the girls some of whom where no doubt laundresses and chambermaids dressed off in their Sunday clothes were nothing remarkable - so that quarter of an hour satisfied us here - after witnessing the fairy like steps of Signer Cerrito in the Sylphide, and seeing the elegantes at Strauss's.

Posted Online Tuesday, August 25, 2009

November 6, 1841: Change of climate

Got pain in my face by walking on the bastions - change of climate etc. - wrapped up and remained in room all evening got by heart the first piece of German poetry I ever read - by Gleim Doris - Meine Doris - hore Dichter loben ihre mächen - etc.

Posted Online Monday, August 24, 2009

November 5, 1841: Musical Festival

Called on Mr. Kriesker - at half past eight - found him still in bed - he is invited as one of the performers to the great musical festival to take place the 7th inst. There will be a thousand performers. Called on Mr. Lingel at the palace - found him employed among the engravings as usual - made an attempt to purchase my intended library of Italian hooks - but find the book shops of Vienna not well supplied with Italian authors defer the purchase Milan or Venice.

Posted Online Sunday, August 23, 2009

November 3-4, 1841: Shakespeare

There is a sensible change in the weather early in the morning the Danube is covered with mist - the winter fair has commenced the Am Hof and other public squares in the city are filled with stalls for the sale of all kinds of merchandise - particularly linens and woof lens - am told a many of the dealers come from Bohemia - this is no doubt an ancient custom - but in these days one hardly sees the utility of it - being shops and warehouses sufficient in Vienna without incumbering the streets and markets Shakspears Taming of the the Shrew was performed at the Palace Theatre - to the great amusement of the audience - in the royal box was the old prince of Salerno and his two daughters - -

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