1844 saw the publication of Sybil: or two nations. The author was Benjamin Disraeli who whilst advocating change, was also hoping it would ultimately aid his bid to become Prime Minister. The novel used cities as synonyms for the destruction of traditional social order and a threat to religion. Disraeli was touting a new Conservatism in which the aristocracy would lead the workers to a better future.
In our previous session we saw how the Workhouses struck fear into those in poverty: Annie Lennox shows her family’s tussle with poverty and children born out of wedlock and the social stigma that entailed. Another part of her family were servants to Victoria and Albert, making for an interesting Who do you think you are?
We will look at how the policy of governments not interfering and leaving it to the market to decide the economic future led to famine and rebellion in India and Ireland.
On a brighter note we will view Walking through history: looking at Haworth and the Bronte family and the Liverpool-to-Leeds canal, and some beautiful scenery.
I will be bringing the Elmo projector into play as we view photographs from the Victorian period. In 1839 the first practical photographic process was demonstrated and cameras were rapidly developed leading to excellent plate-glass cameras that in the right hands produced magnificent photographs.