Phoenixiana: Or, Sketches and BurlesquesThe first collection of sketches by the legendary California journalist and humorist George Horatio Derby (1823-1861), who came to California during the Gold Rush and quickly became a regular and popular contributor to the local newspapers. Derby wrote under several pseudonyms, including John Phoenix, John P. Squibob and Amos Butterfield, and his writings influenced both Twain and Harte, among humorists. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 17
Page 18
... feet . This result differed very much from our preconceived ideas and from the popular opinion ; the distance being generally supposed to be some ten miles ; but I will stake my professional reputation on the accuracy of our work , and ...
... feet . This result differed very much from our preconceived ideas and from the popular opinion ; the distance being generally supposed to be some ten miles ; but I will stake my professional reputation on the accuracy of our work , and ...
Page 21
... feet in width . The soil is loose and sandy , about one inch in depth , below which Dr. Dunshunner discovered a stratum of white pine , three inches in thickness , and beneath this again , sand . It is densely populated , and smells of ...
... feet in width . The soil is loose and sandy , about one inch in depth , below which Dr. Dunshunner discovered a stratum of white pine , three inches in thickness , and beneath this again , sand . It is densely populated , and smells of ...
Page 22
... feet nine inches ; -hair , white ; -complexion , dirt color ; -eyes , blue ; - no front teeth ; -opal at extremity of nose ; -dress , a basquine of bluish bombazine , with two gussets , ornamented down the front with crotchet work of ...
... feet nine inches ; -hair , white ; -complexion , dirt color ; -eyes , blue ; - no front teeth ; -opal at extremity of nose ; -dress , a basquine of bluish bombazine , with two gussets , ornamented down the front with crotchet work of ...
Page 23
... feet ; supposed they might be the feet or foundation of some barbarian structure ) —religious belief , obscure ; -when asked who made him , replied ' PAR ' ( supposed to be the name of one of their principal Deities ) . " We broke up ...
... feet ; supposed they might be the feet or foundation of some barbarian structure ) —religious belief , obscure ; -when asked who made him , replied ' PAR ' ( supposed to be the name of one of their principal Deities ) . " We broke up ...
Page 25
... feet in length , the sides lined with pine boards , with a white oak ( quercus albus ) bar , that at certain occasions forms across , entirely obstructing the whole route . We found no difficulty in getting through the Pass on foot ...
... feet in length , the sides lined with pine boards , with a white oak ( quercus albus ) bar , that at certain occasions forms across , entirely obstructing the whole route . We found no difficulty in getting through the Pass on foot ...
Common terms and phrases
admiration American appearance arrived beautiful Benicia Bogle Boötes Bowers brilliant star Brown California called Captain carpet bag cent character cloth commenced constellation crowd dollars door dress Dunshunner Earth excitement father feet gazed gentleman give Gyascutus hand head heard Heavens Hotel House idea Illustrated inhabitants inquire instant interest John Bigler JOHN PHOENIX Joseph Bowers Judge Jupiter Kearny Street lady Lectures letter literary look MARSHAL JUNOT Mary Howitt miles mind Mission of Dolores Moon morning Mudge Muggins never night observed paper passed Pike County planet Playa Plaza Poetical present readers received remarked replied route San Diego Herald San Francisco Saturn Skewball smile Society Squibob steamer story street sugar box thing tion turned Tushmaker VIRGINIA COMEDIANS vols volume wharf Whig young