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 4
... instant . Having notified that Honorable Body of my acceptance of the impor- tant trust confided to me , in a letter , wherein I also took occasion to congratulate them on the good judg- ment they had evinced , I drew from the Treasury ...
... instant . Having notified that Honorable Body of my acceptance of the impor- tant trust confided to me , in a letter , wherein I also took occasion to congratulate them on the good judg- ment they had evinced , I drew from the Treasury ...
Page 24
... instant , when we had arrived opposite Mrs. Freeman's " American Eagle , " where we encamped . From this point a botanical party under Prof. Wee- gates was sent over the hills to the S. and W. for ex- ploration . They returned on the ...
... instant , when we had arrived opposite Mrs. Freeman's " American Eagle , " where we encamped . From this point a botanical party under Prof. Wee- gates was sent over the hills to the S. and W. for ex- ploration . They returned on the ...
Page 41
... instant at those 100 eyes ( perhaps too exaggerated a compliment ) has already more than compensated me for any trouble that I might have had . " She thanked him , however , and with a 67 deep blush and a 48 pensive air , turned from ...
... instant at those 100 eyes ( perhaps too exaggerated a compliment ) has already more than compensated me for any trouble that I might have had . " She thanked him , however , and with a 67 deep blush and a 48 pensive air , turned from ...
Page 87
... instantly removes the pain of the bite . You have probably 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 ...
... instantly removes the pain of the bite . You have probably 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 ...
Page 98
... instant my heart beat with violence at the idea of being seen acci- dentally appropriating so contemptible an affair as a watermelon ; but hearing a man with a small white hat and large white mustache shout " Hello ! " and immediately ...
... instant my heart beat with violence at the idea of being seen acci- dentally appropriating so contemptible an affair as a watermelon ; but hearing a man with a small white hat and large white mustache shout " Hello ! " and immediately ...
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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