The British were better than the French or the Belgians...
...but inquire of the subject peoples' histories if you would conclude that they were peacekeeping and civilizing.
Empire spreads a culture (at the expense of the cultures conquered), but it corrupts civilized behavior, and it condemns republics to death.
The British are remembered with a certain degree of fondness because they often had the good sense to leave before they were expelled for the commission of too many abominable acts in the pursuit of order and domination masquerading as peace. Peace is precisely this kind of masquerade at an imperial party, and the guest of honor writes the etiquette book as he takes up residence uninvited in his host's home.