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 63
... planets , which , shining but feebly by its reflected light , are to us invisible . To this opinion we are led , also , by reasoning from analogy , on considering our own Solar System . THE SOLAR SYSTEM is so called , not because we ...
... planets , which , shining but feebly by its reflected light , are to us invisible . To this opinion we are led , also , by reasoning from analogy , on considering our own Solar System . THE SOLAR SYSTEM is so called , not because we ...
Page 64
... planets of the SOLAR SYSTEM , which have no 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 ...
... planets of the SOLAR SYSTEM , which have no 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 ...
Page 65
... planets , turning about their axes , revolve in elliptical orbits of various dimensions and different planes of inclination around it . The demonstration of this system in all its per- fection was left to Isaac Newton , an English ...
... planets , turning about their axes , revolve in elliptical orbits of various dimensions and different planes of inclination around it . The demonstration of this system in all its per- fection was left to Isaac Newton , an English ...
Page 66
... planets have one or more smaller planets revolving about them . These small bodies are termed secondaries , moons or satellites the planets themselves being called primaries . We know at present of eighteen primaries , viz : Mercury ...
... planets have one or more smaller planets revolving about them . These small bodies are termed secondaries , moons or satellites the planets themselves being called primaries . We know at present of eighteen primaries , viz : Mercury ...
Page 69
... planets , receive our 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 ...
... planets , receive our 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 ...
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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