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 15
... late in the evening when our arrange- ments for encamping were completed , we saw but little of the natives until the next morning , when they gathered about our camp to the number of eighteen OFFICIAL REPORT OF PROF . JOHN PHOENIX 15.
... late in the evening when our arrange- ments for encamping were completed , we saw but little of the natives until the next morning , when they gathered about our camp to the number of eighteen OFFICIAL REPORT OF PROF . JOHN PHOENIX 15.
Page 79
... , rejected by the sceptical , among modern Astronomers , who consider the passage an allegory . " The man in the South , " being supposed typical of the late John C. Calhoun , and the " cold , hot porridge LECTURES ON ASTRONOMY 79.
... , rejected by the sceptical , among modern Astronomers , who consider the passage an allegory . " The man in the South , " being supposed typical of the late John C. Calhoun , and the " cold , hot porridge LECTURES ON ASTRONOMY 79.
Page 117
... late , he charged me but thirty - two dol- lars , I repaired to and registered my name at the St. Francis Hotel , which , being deciphered with an al- most imperceptible grin by my own and every other traveler's agreeable and ...
... late , he charged me but thirty - two dol- lars , I repaired to and registered my name at the St. Francis Hotel , which , being deciphered with an al- most imperceptible grin by my own and every other traveler's agreeable and ...
Page 131
... late to - night . " " Oh , no , " replied the worthy landlord , " the boys of San Diego generally run for forty - eight hours , stranger ; it's a little late for night before last , but for to - night ! why , it's just in the shank of ...
... late to - night . " " Oh , no , " replied the worthy landlord , " the boys of San Diego generally run for forty - eight hours , stranger ; it's a little late for night before last , but for to - night ! why , it's just in the shank of ...
Page 138
... late in the afternoon an elderly gentleman , much overcome by excitement and spirituous potations , was found , like Peter , " weeping bitterly , " as he re- clined on the cold , cold ground behind the Court House . " I'm an old man ...
... late in the afternoon an elderly gentleman , much overcome by excitement and spirituous potations , was found , like Peter , " weeping bitterly , " as he re- clined on the cold , cold ground behind the Court House . " I'm an old man ...
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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