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 39
... wish to convey ; in other words , we shall be enabled to speak the truth . Glorious , soul - inspiring idea ! For instance , the most ordinary question asked of you is , " How do you do ? " To this , instead of replying , " Pretty well ...
... wish to convey ; in other words , we shall be enabled to speak the truth . Glorious , soul - inspiring idea ! For instance , the most ordinary question asked of you is , " How do you do ? " To this , instead of replying , " Pretty well ...
Page 40
... wishes to arrive at your exact state of health ? Let this system be adopted into our elements of grammar , our conversation , our literature , and we be- come at once an exact , precise , mathematical , truth- telling people . It will ...
... wishes to arrive at your exact state of health ? Let this system be adopted into our elements of grammar , our conversation , our literature , and we be- come at once an exact , precise , mathematical , truth- telling people . It will ...
Page 57
... wishes and its capabilities . We trust every citizen of San Diego and Vallecetos will listen to it ere it is withdrawn ; and if there yet lingers in San Francisco one spark of musical fervor , or a remnant of taste for pure harmony , we ...
... wishes and its capabilities . We trust every citizen of San Diego and Vallecetos will listen to it ere it is withdrawn ; and if there yet lingers in San Francisco one spark of musical fervor , or a remnant of taste for pure harmony , we ...
Page 109
... wish to engage in a contro- versy on the subject ; but , God forgive me if I am in error , I thought Calhoun had been dead for some months . Well , I suppose someone is elected by this time , and the waves of political excitement have ...
... wish to engage in a contro- versy on the subject ; but , God forgive me if I am in error , I thought Calhoun had been dead for some months . Well , I suppose someone is elected by this time , and the waves of political excitement have ...
Page 125
... wish't I was married and well of it , I dread it powerful - I'd like to marry a widow - I al- lers liked widows since I knowed one down in Georgia that suited my ideas , adzactly . " About a week after her husband died , she started 6 ...
... wish't I was married and well of it , I dread it powerful - I'd like to marry a widow - I al- lers liked widows since I knowed one down in Georgia that suited my ideas , adzactly . " About a week after her husband died , she started 6 ...
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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