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 x
... once given an outlet , bubbled forth with all the vigor and spontaneity of a geyser . One finds no trace of a taskmaster driving his muse in Phoenix's fun , and for that reason it is of the best . In reading over this little volume ...
... once given an outlet , bubbled forth with all the vigor and spontaneity of a geyser . One finds no trace of a taskmaster driving his muse in Phoenix's fun , and for that reason it is of the best . In reading over this little volume ...
Page 19
... once , to the Orphan Asylum , where , having rung the bell , they left him on the steps and departed , and we never saw him afterward . From the corner of Market to the corner of Second and Folsom Streets , the route presents no object ...
... once , to the Orphan Asylum , where , having rung the bell , they left him on the steps and departed , and we never saw him afterward . From the corner of Market to the corner of Second and Folsom Streets , the route presents no object ...
Page 31
... . " But it is plain , that none of these expressions give an exact idea of the nature of the day , and the two superlative ex- pressions are generally untrue . I once heard a 66 gentleman remark , on a rainy , snowy , 31.
... . " But it is plain , that none of these expressions give an exact idea of the nature of the day , and the two superlative ex- pressions are generally untrue . I once heard a 66 gentleman remark , on a rainy , snowy , 31.
Page 40
... once an exact , precise , mathematical , truth- telling people . It will apply to everything but poli- tics ; there , truth being of no account , the system is useless . But in literature , how admirable ! Take an example : As a 19 ...
... once an exact , precise , mathematical , truth- telling people . It will apply to everything but poli- tics ; there , truth being of no account , the system is useless . But in literature , how admirable ! Take an example : As a 19 ...
Page 57
... can only say that the Southerner sails from that place once a fortnight , and that the passage money is but forty- five dollars . LECTURES ON ASTRONOMY LECTURES ON ASTRONOMY INTRODUCTORY THE following pages MUSICAL REVIEW EXTRAORDINARY 57.
... can only say that the Southerner sails from that place once a fortnight , and that the passage money is but forty- five dollars . LECTURES ON ASTRONOMY LECTURES ON ASTRONOMY INTRODUCTORY THE following pages MUSICAL REVIEW EXTRAORDINARY 57.
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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