I've been reading Macauley, who has, to say the least, strong opinions. One reason he offers for the English being superior to the benighted Irish is they eat bread while the Irish have to eat that tuber.
I recall reading a similar sentiment about oats and Scots...
The Victorians were a confident bunch, at least the aristocrats. Mack was certain he was a member of the most advanced race, living in the most advanced civilization in the best governed nation in the world. :-))