Another old member of the House who died in the recess is Mr. Colman.
The great mustard manufacturer, whose name was carried on tin boxes to
the uttermost ends of the earth, never made his mark in the House of
Commons. I doubt whether he ever got so far as to work off his maiden
speech. A quiet, kindly, shrewd man of business, he was content to look
on whilst others fought and talked. He came too late to the House to be
ever thoroughly at one with it, and took an early opportunity of
retiring.
Mr. Gladstone had a high respect for him, and occasionally visited his
beautiful home in Norfolk. One of these occasions became historic by
reason of Mr. Gladstone unwittingly making a little joke. Coming down to
breakfast one morning, and finding the house-party already gathered in
the room, Mr. Gladstone cheerily remarked, "What, are we all mustered?"
He never knew why this innocent observation had such remarkable success
with Mr. J. J. Colman's guests.