What makes a nation tough?

The UK has had 1 inch of snow overnight, causing chaos in the transport system and half of the country’s schools to shut for the day. Admittedly 1 inch is well over 25mm of snow and it did fall within 24 hours, but even so, it is hardly a problem.

It beggars belief that Britain used to control 1/3 of the world.

How did they ever manage to conquer and rule Canada, for instance, when they can’t even deal with a “light dusting” of snow in their own country? Are Canadians getting tougher? Can you face any danger with a strong heart simply by wearing a toque? What were the Victorian Brits made of that the current lot aren’t? Perhaps there’s something to be said for covering up the legs on pianos and having antimacassars on your armchairs.