Civic pride is a curious thing in 19th century Britain. To get into it would be a small essay on the 1832 parliamentary reform act and all the factors that cont

Civic pride is a curious thing in 19th century Britain. To get into it would be a small essay on the 1832 parliamentary reform act and all the factors that contributed to it. But Empire was important. There was more money concentrated in fewer British hands than ever before, or ever since. "Empire" is also a broad term: the Industrial Revolution, originating in the Midlands; steam power, which was exported globally; and of course, the slave trade, which Britain both catalysed and then worked hard to destroy. They all had their part - they were drivers and benefactors of Empire, and they all put plenty of cash into a few well meaning citizens' pockets.