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
... 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 the amount ( $ 40,000 ) appropriated for my peculiar. 4 PHOENIXIANA.
... 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 the amount ( $ 40,000 ) appropriated for my peculiar. 4 PHOENIXIANA.
Page 26
... letter from certain parties interested in the Southern and Northern routes , informing me that if I suspend my opinion on the " Great Central " for the present , it will be greatly to my interest — and as my interest is certainly my ...
... letter from certain parties interested in the Southern and Northern routes , informing me that if I suspend my opinion on the " Great Central " for the present , it will be greatly to my interest — and as my interest is certainly my ...
Page 82
... letter , through the St. Louis Post Office , as the advertisements or notices of newspapers might not meet my eye . Propositions will be received until the first of September next . “ EDMUND W. PAUL , " 140 Sixth Street , between ...
... letter , through the St. Louis Post Office , as the advertisements or notices of newspapers might not meet my eye . Propositions will be received until the first of September next . “ EDMUND W. PAUL , " 140 Sixth Street , between ...
Page 101
... letter and a tenpin - alley , where I am told a man once rolled a whole game , paid $ 1.50 for it , and walked off chuckling . Then there is a " monte bank " -a Common Council , and a Mayor , who , my guide informed me , was called ...
... letter and a tenpin - alley , where I am told a man once rolled a whole game , paid $ 1.50 for it , and walked off chuckling . Then there is a " monte bank " -a Common Council , and a Mayor , who , my guide informed me , was called ...
Page 106
... letter would produce upon the action of Congress in making Benicia a port of entry ; in view of all these circumstances I had , indeed , expected some trifling compliment — a public dinner , possibly , or peradventure a delicate present ...
... letter would produce upon the action of Congress in making Benicia a port of entry ; in view of all these circumstances I had , indeed , expected some trifling compliment — a public dinner , possibly , or peradventure a delicate present ...
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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