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 48
... light girlish laughter , in the scene with Sir Peter , showed an appreciation of the savage char- acter which nothing but the most arduous study , the most elaborate training could produce ; while her awful change to the stern ...
... light girlish laughter , in the scene with Sir Peter , showed an appreciation of the savage char- acter which nothing but the most arduous study , the most elaborate training could produce ; while her awful change to the stern ...
Page 63
... light of its own manufac- ture ; and as it would be absurd to suppose its light and heat were made to be diffused for nothing , it is presumed farther , that each sun , like an old hen , is provided with a parcel of little chickens , in ...
... light of its own manufac- ture ; and as it would be absurd to suppose its light and heat were made to be diffused for nothing , it is presumed farther , that each sun , like an old hen , is provided with a parcel of little chickens , in ...
Page 64
... light of their own - of which the Earth , on which we reside , is one , -which shine by light reflected from the Sun , and which regularly move around that body at different intervals of time and through different ranges in space . Up ...
... light of their own - of which the Earth , on which we reside , is one , -which shine by light reflected from the Sun , and which regularly move around that body at different intervals of time and through different ranges in space . Up ...
Page 69
... light and heat . The spots upon its surface are glimpses of water , obtained through the fire ; and we call the attention of our old friend and former school- mate , Mr. Agassiz , to this fact ; as by closely observ- ing one of these ...
... light and heat . The spots upon its surface are glimpses of water , obtained through the fire ; and we call the attention of our old friend and former school- mate , Mr. Agassiz , to this fact ; as by closely observ- ing one of these ...
Page 70
... light ) , except at its greatest eastern and western elongations , which occur in March and April , August and September , when it may be seen for a short time immediately after sun- set and shortly before sunrise . It then appears like ...
... light ) , except at its greatest eastern and western elongations , which occur in March and April , August and September , when it may be seen for a short time immediately after sun- set and shortly before sunrise . It then appears like ...
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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