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 vii
... leaves to - day had not produced good fruit in the long ago , we should not , a half century after , find anyone hardy enough to stand sponsor for it in an age that is by no means lacking in fruit- trees of its own . From the day in the ...
... leaves to - day had not produced good fruit in the long ago , we should not , a half century after , find anyone hardy enough to stand sponsor for it in an age that is by no means lacking in fruit- trees of its own . From the day in the ...
Page xv
... LEAVE OF SAN FRANCISCO PHOENIX IS ON THE SEA The Steamer Northerner - Capt . Isham - Dick Whiting , the ne plus ultra of Steamboat Captains - The Downfall of a brace of " Snobs " -Curses , loud and deep - Arrival at San Diego . PHOENIX ...
... LEAVE OF SAN FRANCISCO PHOENIX IS ON THE SEA The Steamer Northerner - Capt . Isham - Dick Whiting , the ne plus ultra of Steamboat Captains - The Downfall of a brace of " Snobs " -Curses , loud and deep - Arrival at San Diego . PHOENIX ...
Page 20
... leaving Southwick's Pass , is very productive , and I observed with astonishment , that red - headed children appear to grow spontaneously . A building was pointed out to me , near our line of march , as the locale of a most astounding ...
... leaving Southwick's Pass , is very productive , and I observed with astonishment , that red - headed children appear to grow spontaneously . A building was pointed out to me , near our line of march , as the locale of a most astounding ...
Page 23
... leave - and I left . This curious subject is , therefore , I regret to say , enwrapped in mystery , and I reluctantly leave it for the elucidation of some future sa- vant . The beautiful idea , originated by Col. Benton , that buffaloes ...
... leave - and I left . This curious subject is , therefore , I regret to say , enwrapped in mystery , and I reluctantly leave it for the elucidation of some future sa- vant . The beautiful idea , originated by Col. Benton , that buffaloes ...
Page 27
... leave to return my thanks to the Professors , Assistants , and Artists of the Expe- dition , for the energy , fidelity and zeal , with which they have ever co - operated with me , and seconded my efforts ; and to assure them that I ...
... leave to return my thanks to the Professors , Assistants , and Artists of the Expe- dition , for the energy , fidelity and zeal , with which they have ever co - operated with me , and seconded my efforts ; and to assure them that I ...
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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