[Dave Wright]

As Dickens journaled in Oliver Twist, the Victorian period was one of severe classism, anti-semitism, mysogeny, and child abuse. The “Currier and Ives Christmas Card” version is a myth that was promoted by American anglophiles who secretly prefer monarchy and probably binged on “Upstairs, Downstairs” and “Downton Abbey”.

There were a few very prominent and successful blacks in London during this time that may have partied with the “waltzing gentry” but not many. My favorite example was the black circus entrepreneur Pablo Fanque whom the Beatles made famous in their song “Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite”.

[Albion Wilde]

There were a few... prominent and successful blacks in London during this time ... but not many. My favorite example was the black circus entrepreneur Pablo Fanque whom the Beatles made famous in their song “Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite”.

..............................Pablo Fanque