Phoenixiana: Or Sketches and BurlesquesGeorge Horatio Derby (1823-1861) of Massachusetts graduated from West Point in 1846 and served in the Army Topographical Engineers at Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo before being sent to California in 1856. He remained there for seven years, leading three exploring expeditions and winning a place as one of the state's first humorists with pieces published in the San Diego Herald and republished around the nation. Phoenixiana (1903) reprints a book originally published in 1855. It contains Derby's pieces as "Professor John Phoenixiana" and "Squibob," poking fun at such topics as military surveyors and explorers; contemporary travel accounts of the Mission Dolores, Benecia, Sonoma, San Francisco, and San Diego; literary societies and women's clubs; astronomy; and Army life. |
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Page 17
... the transit , for the purpose of wiping them . While busily engaged in this manner , an individual , whom I have reason to believe is con- nected with a fire company , approached , and seeing 3 OFFICIAL REPORT OF PROF . JOHN PHOENIX 17.
... the transit , for the purpose of wiping them . While busily engaged in this manner , an individual , whom I have reason to believe is con- nected with a fire company , approached , and seeing 3 OFFICIAL REPORT OF PROF . JOHN PHOENIX 17.
Page 42
... believe it , but that everlasting ( 100 ) scamp of a Professor has brought a suit against me for stealing a bottle of his disgusting Invigorator ; and as the suit comes off before a Justice of the Peace , whose only principle of law is ...
... believe it , but that everlasting ( 100 ) scamp of a Professor has brought a suit against me for stealing a bottle of his disgusting Invigorator ; and as the suit comes off before a Justice of the Peace , whose only principle of law is ...
Page 48
... believe hers to be the perfection of acting , we cannot be wrong in the belief that no one hereafter will ever be found to approach her . Her conception of the character of Ingomar was perfection itself ; her playful and ingenuous ...
... believe hers to be the perfection of acting , we cannot be wrong in the belief that no one hereafter will ever be found to approach her . Her conception of the character of Ingomar was perfection itself ; her playful and ingenuous ...
Page 63
... believe it to be the sole system of the kind in existence , but from its principal body the Sun , the Latin name of which is Sol . ( Thus we read of Sol Smith , literally meaning the son of Old Smith . ) On a LECTURES ON ASTRONOMY 63.
... believe it to be the sole system of the kind in existence , but from its principal body the Sun , the Latin name of which is Sol . ( Thus we read of Sol Smith , literally meaning the son of Old Smith . ) On a LECTURES ON ASTRONOMY 63.
Page 74
... believe that the election of Mr. Pierce , the European war , or the split in the great Democratic party produced but very lit- tle excitement among them . To the inhabitants of Jupiter , our important globe appears like a small star of ...
... believe that the election of Mr. Pierce , the European war , or the split in the great Democratic party produced but very lit- tle excitement among them . To the inhabitants of Jupiter , our important globe appears like a small star of ...
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Common terms and phrases
accidently shot admiration appearance arrived Artemesia Astronomy beautiful Benicia Bogle Bowers brilliant star Brown California called Captain carpet-bag constellation crowd David Harum dollars door Dunshunner E. W. KEMBLE Earth Edward Noyes Westcott excited expression father feel gazed gentleman give Gyascutus hand head heard Heavens Hotel House idea inhabitants inquire instant interest JOHN KENDRICK BANGS JOHN PHOENIX Joseph Bowers Judge Jupiter Kearny Street lady LECTURES letter literary look ment miles mind Mission of Dolores Moon morning Mudge Muggins never night nose observed paper passed Pike County planet Playa Plaza present readers remark replied route San Diego Herald San Francisco Saturn shouted smile Solar System Squibob steamer Street Tehama thought tion took tooth turned Tushmaker Uncle Remus Vallecetos week wharf young