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 vii
... I was suspended from school for a joyous period of twenty - four hours for turning the solemn function of declamation into a riotous orgie of giggling by reciting Phoenix's Maritime Anecdote in which old Miss Tarbox and Hardy Lee vii.
... I was suspended from school for a joyous period of twenty - four hours for turning the solemn function of declamation into a riotous orgie of giggling by reciting Phoenix's Maritime Anecdote in which old Miss Tarbox and Hardy Lee vii.
Page x
... turned to his pen for the meed of pleasure which comes from forgetfulness of the trials incident to the day's work , appears to me the chief reason for his unquestioned success as a fun - maker . There was that in his nature which ...
... turned to his pen for the meed of pleasure which comes from forgetfulness of the trials incident to the day's work , appears to me the chief reason for his unquestioned success as a fun - maker . There was that in his nature which ...
Page 13
... Turning from them in displeasure , I took from the " Go - it - ometer " the number of paces marked , and on working the dis- tance , found it to be four miles and a - half . Upon close questioning the bearer , William Boulder ( called ...
... Turning from them in displeasure , I took from the " Go - it - ometer " the number of paces marked , and on working the dis- tance , found it to be four miles and a - half . Upon close questioning the bearer , William Boulder ( called ...
Page 38
... turned to him and requested an ex- planation . ( 6 Why , " said he , " it's very simple ; the number 12 is the maximum , 1 the minimum ; for instance , you are as benevolent as a man can be therefore I mark you , Benevolence , 12. You ...
... turned to him and requested an ex- planation . ( 6 Why , " said he , " it's very simple ; the number 12 is the maximum , 1 the minimum ; for instance , you are as benevolent as a man can be therefore I mark you , Benevolence , 12. You ...
Page 41
... turned from him , and pur- sued with a 33 slow step her promenade . Of course you see that this is but the commence- ment of a pretty little tale , which I might throw off , if I had a mind to , showing in two volumes , or forty- eight ...
... turned from him , and pur- sued with a 33 slow step her promenade . Of course you see that this is but the commence- ment of a pretty little tale , which I might throw off , if I had a mind to , showing in two volumes , or forty- eight ...
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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