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 7
... heard of them occasionally on the march . On consulting with my assistants , I had deter- mined to select , as a base for our operations , a line joining the summit of Telegraph Hill with the ex- tremity of the wharf at Oakland , and ...
... heard of them occasionally on the march . On consulting with my assistants , I had deter- mined to select , as a base for our operations , a line joining the summit of Telegraph Hill with the ex- tremity of the wharf at Oakland , and ...
Page 31
... day we ever saw . " But it is plain , that none of these expressions give an exact idea of the nature of the day , and the two superlative ex- pressions are generally untrue . I once heard a 66 gentleman remark , on a rainy , snowy , 31.
... day we ever saw . " But it is plain , that none of these expressions give an exact idea of the nature of the day , and the two superlative ex- pressions are generally untrue . I once heard a 66 gentleman remark , on a rainy , snowy , 31.
Page 87
... heard of old Parry Dox . I met him here a few days since , in a sadly seedy con- dition . He told me that he was still extravagantly fond of whisky , though he was constantly " running it down . " I inquired after his wife . " She is ...
... heard of old Parry Dox . I met him here a few days since , in a sadly seedy con- dition . He told me that he was still extravagantly fond of whisky , though he was constantly " running it down . " I inquired after his wife . " She is ...
Page 92
... heard it elsewhere remarked upon . I am inclined to believe that it never occurred to Mr. Poe , until having become embarrassed by that unfortunate word " toss , " he was obliged to bring in either a hoss or an albatross ; and ...
... heard it elsewhere remarked upon . I am inclined to believe that it never occurred to Mr. Poe , until having become embarrassed by that unfortunate word " toss , " he was obliged to bring in either a hoss or an albatross ; and ...
Page 110
... heard before or will hear again : they are " like angels ' visits , few and far be- tween . " There isn't a more moral place on the face of the earth than Benicia . Ephesus , where the stupid people , a few years since , used to worship ...
... heard before or will hear again : they are " like angels ' visits , few and far be- tween . " There isn't a more moral place on the face of the earth than Benicia . Ephesus , where the stupid people , a few years since , used to worship ...
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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