Kashgaria — You Can't Get There From Here

1907

There are few places in the world so difficult to get at as Kashgaria. Though it lies in Chinese territory, the journey from Peking occupies no less than six months. From India caravans take two months, having to cross meanwhile the three highest mountain ranges in the world by way of several passes measuring 18,000 feet above sea level.

Then from the tail end of the Russian railway system in central Asia one may reach Kashgaria in three weeks by several routes, all involving the transit of difficult and storm swept passes.

Kashgaria is said to cover an area of 350,000 square miles — a statement that has little interest until considered in relation to the proportion which is cultivated by man. It is startling to realize that human endeavor has been capable of rendering fertile little more than a hundredth part and that ninety-nine hundredths of it is irredeemable desert. — Blackwood's Magazine.


Books Bound In Lead

A bookbinder was putting a binding of lead on a book. When asked about it, he explained: "This is a naval code book for use on a battleship All such volumes are bound in lead, so that in the event of the ship's destruction the books will sink with it for they contain secrets of immense value, and every precaution must be taken to keep those secrets dark."