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 3
... miles from the City Hall of San Francisco , and a favorite suburban locality , lying within the limits of the City Survey . This fact noted for the benefit of dis- tant readers of these sketches . " the extreme Southern , " passing over ...
... miles from the City Hall of San Francisco , and a favorite suburban locality , lying within the limits of the City Survey . This fact noted for the benefit of dis- tant readers of these sketches . " the extreme Southern , " passing over ...
Page 10
... miles ; but I will stake my professional reputation on the ac- curacy of our work , and there can , of course , be no disputing the elucidations of science , or facts demon- strated by mathematical process , however incredible they may ...
... miles ; but I will stake my professional reputation on the ac- curacy of our work , and there can , of course , be no disputing the elucidations of science , or facts demon- strated by mathematical process , however incredible they may ...
Page 13
... miles and a - half . Upon close questioning the bearer , William Boulder ( called by his associates , " Slippery Bill " ) , I ascertained that he had been in a saloon in the vicinity , and after drinking five glasses of a beverage ...
... miles and a - half . Upon close questioning the bearer , William Boulder ( called by his associates , " Slippery Bill " ) , I ascertained that he had been in a saloon in the vicinity , and after drinking five glasses of a beverage ...
Page 15
... mile , " which I accordingly noted down , and returned very much pleased at so easily obtaining so much valuable ... miles in a few moments . Kearny Street , of which I present above a spirited engraving from a beautiful drawing by ...
... mile , " which I accordingly noted down , and returned very much pleased at so easily obtaining so much valuable ... miles in a few moments . Kearny Street , of which I present above a spirited engraving from a beautiful drawing by ...
Page 51
... miles from the west bank of Pitt River . These data are beautifully and clearly expressed by a long ( topographically ) drawn note from an E flat clarionet . The sandy nature of the soil , sparsely dotted with bunches of cactus and arte ...
... miles from the west bank of Pitt River . These data are beautifully and clearly expressed by a long ( topographically ) drawn note from an E flat clarionet . The sandy nature of the soil , sparsely dotted with bunches of cactus and arte ...
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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