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 17
... observation . Having removed the Sidereal Clock from the cart , and put it in the street , we placed the cart in the plane of the Meridian , and I removed the eye and object - glass of the transit , for the purpose of wiping them ...
... observation . Having removed the Sidereal Clock from the cart , and put it in the street , we placed the cart in the plane of the Meridian , and I removed the eye and object - glass of the transit , for the purpose of wiping them ...
Page 18
... observations , I requested the principal computer to work them out , as I wished to ascertain the time immediately ; but he replying that it would take some three months to do it , I con- cluded not to wait , but sent a man into the ...
... observations , I requested the principal computer to work them out , as I wished to ascertain the time immediately ; but he replying that it would take some three months to do it , I con- cluded not to wait , but sent a man into the ...
Page 19
... observation , was driven carelessly near our Sidereal Clock , with which it almost came into contact . Dr. Bigguns , with a slight smile , re- marked that " the clock was nearly run down , " and immediately fainted away . The pursuits ...
... observation , was driven carelessly near our Sidereal Clock , with which it almost came into contact . Dr. Bigguns , with a slight smile , re- marked that " the clock was nearly run down , " and immediately fainted away . The pursuits ...
Page 20
... 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 agricultural and architectural phenomenon , which ...
... 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 agricultural and architectural phenomenon , which ...
Page 22
... observed an advertisement of ' The Mountain View , ' by P. Buckley ; but the building in which it is exhibited being closed , I had no opportunity to judge of the merits of the painting , or the skill of Mr. Buckley as an artist . A ...
... observed an advertisement of ' The Mountain View , ' by P. Buckley ; but the building in which it is exhibited being closed , I had no opportunity to judge of the merits of the painting , or the skill of Mr. Buckley as an artist . A ...
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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