population, establishing a voice to be heard in the political arena, and growing in wealth. The principals of belief were largely based on the preachings of the bible, to attend temperance meetings; churches picnics and contribute to voluntary associations. To be an upstanding, righteous, and god fearing person.3 Members of the middle class looked down upon the working class pleasures as a form of degeneracy.The general consensus of the middle and upper classes toward the paupers’ dependence on relief was seen as a social disgrace, a severe moral failing and that they were paying the poor to be lazy and avoid work. The pauper was also viewed as a criminal and regarded their state of poverty to be their own fault.As the appearance of poverty grew and people could see that it existed it became disreputable to the middle and upper classes. It was necessary for poverty to become invisible and swept under the carpet.The Working Class was the lowest on the ladder, which is also referred to as the underclass. Most families lived on limited resources being dependent upon the owner of the companies or the land on which they laboured.4 There is a limited amount of freedom and choice available, but is dependant on the provision of employment from the upper classes. In pursuit of pleasure, dances and saloons were preferable, as it was felt they dealt with enough monotonous and drudgery during the working week. These citizens were the most susceptible to the fluctuations of employment and had very little resources in times of unemployment.Provision of EmploymentAs a result of the upper classes providing the lower class with making a living, by default, they were in control of the monies paid to the lower class. The sums paid were menial and served to keep the lower classes in its place. A typical working man’s wage as stated by G. Best, Mid-Victorian Britain 1851-75 the average weekly wage in upper class occupational groups (e.g...
