Print, 'The Brigands in Council,' lithograph, Great Britain, 19th century

One of two prints depicting Sir Henry Cole, Lord Granville and the Honourable R. Meade as brigands conspiring to bring some old silver candlestick to the South Kensington Museum from the Privy Council Office. Lord Ripon and Arthur Helps are shown detecting the theft of 'the Brigands.'

The following letter from Sir Henry Cole, K.C.B. (1808-1882) first Director of the Museum, was pasted behind the frame originally containing the prints: "South Kensington Museum W. 9 Dec: 71. Dear Mr. Lucas, I have much pleasure in asking you to accept the accompanying copy of a profane work which affects to represent Lord Granville [1815-1891, statesman], The Hon R. Meade and myself conspiring to bring some old silver candle- sticks to the South Kensington Museum from the [Privy] Council Office. - This is the subject of "Brigands in Council." The other subject is supposed to show Lord Ripon [Viscount Goderich, Earl de Grey and 1st Marquis of Ripon, 1827-1909, statesman, Governor General of India] & Mr. [afterwards Sir] Arthur Helps (the Clerk of the Council) [1813-1859. He published between 1847 and 1859 three series of moral essays entitled "Friends in Council"] detecting the theft on the point of completion. Believe me, faithfully yours, Henry Cole."

E.246-1932