While sojourning on the Pacific coast Derby first began writing for the San Francisco papers and magazines. His contributions consisted mainly of humorous sketches written under the signature of John Phoenix. These sketches attracted general attention among the Pacific States, and in 1855 were published in book form under the title of Phoenixiana, or Sketches and Burlesques. The book was well received, and ten or twelve editions were exhausted. Four years later a second volume was issued under the title of Squibob Papers. This volume also met with a large and ready sale. Early in 1861 Derby took up his residence in New York, and produced a number of humorous sketches which were never published in book form. He died suddenly on the 15th of May, 1861, at the age of thirty-eight. Although young in years and not having reached the acme of his fame, his work still lives and is recognized as one of the most prominent species of American humor. Derby’s humor is something like that of Artemus Ward, yet it is peculiarly original and is vastly different from the writings of the so-called funny men of the present day. Among the many good things from Derby’s pen are the following: LATE. Passing by one of our doggeries about 3 A. M. the other morning, from which proceeded “a sound of revelry by night,” a hapless stranger on his homeward way paused to obtain a slight refreshment, and to the host he said: “It appears to me your visitors are rather late to-night.” “Oh, no,” replied the worthy landlord, “the boys of San Diego generally run for forty-eight hours, stranger; _it’s a little late for night before last_, but for to-night! why, it’s just in the shank of the evening.” Volumes could not have said more. FOR SALE. A valuable law library, lately the property of a distinguished legal gentleman of San Francisco, who has given up practice and removed to the Farralone Islands. It consists of one volume of “Hoyle’s Games,” complete and may be seen at this office. WANTED. Back numbers of the Democratic Review, speeches and writings of Jefferson, Coffroth, Calhoun, Bigler, Van Buren and others. Copies of the San Joaquin Republican, files of the Times and Transcript (a few at a time), and a diagram representing the construction of the old United States bank, for the use of a young man desirous of turning Democrat. Apply at this office (by firing a gun, or punching on the ceiling, he being deeply engaged in study in the garret), to J. PHOENIX. AN EPITAPH. This is all, but I writ at the time a epitaff which I think is short, and would do to go over his grave: Here lies the body of James Hambrick Who was accidentally shot On the banks of the Peacus river By a young man. He was accidentally shot with one of the large sized Colt’s revolvers with no stopper for the cock to rest on it was one of the old fashion kind brass mounted and of such is the kingdom of Heaven. GEORGE W. PECK.