"And in the stress of modern life, and the progress of man's monopolisation of the earth on which he lives, it is beautiful to some of us, of whom it may be said the highest state of happiness comes from solitary meditation in unperturbed loneliness under the broad expense of heaven, to know that there are still some spots of isolation where human foot has never turned the clay and where out of sight and sound of fellow mortals, we may even for a time shake off the violating unnatural fetters of harrassing western life."

Edwin J. Dingle, "Accross China on foot", 1910