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 97
... crowd of four individuals that were there assembled , and gazing upon the mighty city whose glimmering lights , feebly discernible through the Benician darkness , extended over an area of five 66 acres , an overpowering sense of the ...
... crowd of four individuals that were there assembled , and gazing upon the mighty city whose glimmering lights , feebly discernible through the Benician darkness , extended over an area of five 66 acres , an overpowering sense of the ...
Page 98
... crowd , " Boy ! can you direct me to the best hotel in this city ? " - " Ain't but one , " re- sponded the youth , " Winn keeps it ; right up the hill thar . " Decidedly , thought I , I will go in to Winn , and reshouldering my carpet ...
... crowd , " Boy ! can you direct me to the best hotel in this city ? " - " Ain't but one , " re- sponded the youth , " Winn keeps it ; right up the hill thar . " Decidedly , thought I , I will go in to Winn , and reshouldering my carpet ...
Page 105
... crowds of two or three persons thronging the streets of the great city ; as I gaze upon that man carrying home a pound and a half of fresh beef for his dinner ; as I listen to the bell of the Mary ( a Napa steam packet of four cat power ) ...
... crowds of two or three persons thronging the streets of the great city ; as I gaze upon that man carrying home a pound and a half of fresh beef for his dinner ; as I listen to the bell of the Mary ( a Napa steam packet of four cat power ) ...
Page 138
... crowd , and with this expression of sympathy the unhappy old fellow was left to the stings of his conscience . A melancholy in- stance of misplaced attachment . A GAME OF POKER . - An Eastern paper men- tions the case of an individual ...
... crowd , and with this expression of sympathy the unhappy old fellow was left to the stings of his conscience . A melancholy in- stance of misplaced attachment . A GAME OF POKER . - An Eastern paper men- tions the case of an individual ...
Page 171
... crowd below . Nothing is heard but the monotonous houp ! hank ! of the Indians , as in a cloud of steam of their own manufacture they strike off the paper . Noth- ing can be seen without but a shower of quarters , bits , and dimes ...
... crowd below . Nothing is heard but the monotonous houp ! hank ! of the Indians , as in a cloud of steam of their own manufacture they strike off the paper . Noth- ing can be seen without but a shower of quarters , bits , and dimes ...
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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