The Complete Works of Artemus Ward — Part 4: To California and Return

"The Complete Works of Artemus Ward — Part 4: To California and Return" by Artemus Ward (Charles Farrar Browne) is a hilarious account of a trip from New York to California and back in the late 1800's. Through the eyes of his funny character, Artemus Ward, Browne tells of his amusing experiences on his adventure. It begins with a crazy scene on a steamer headed to California where passengers struggle to board. He humorously describes hunting for his stuff among the crowd. Sharing funny stories about meeting other travelers, like a young woman who mistakes him for someone else, he even makes light of the terrible conditions on the crowded ship. These moments set the stage for Browne's funny observations about the places he visits, from Panama up to California, pointing out the craziness of travel and the strange people along the way.