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, January 4, 2010

April 28-30, 1842: Letters

[April 28-29] Received letters from England and Venice - walked in the parks and Regent Street. Saw Madm Nestris perform in the extravaganza of wild at Covent Garden -

[April 30] Engaged place in Halifax Steam ticket to sail 19th May. Saw the queen at the opera this evening, an ordinary face, nearly all the time secluded behind the curtain of her box. The piece performed was Torquato Tasso - a crowded house -