MUSTARD 145 



Less than two years after Lord Monson's purchase 

 of the estate, Reform had destroyed the value of 

 Gatton Park, for it was disfranchised. We can only 

 wonder that he did not claim compensation for the 

 abolition of his " vested interests." 



There is a remarkable appropriateness in Gatton 

 Hall being designed in the classic style, for its marble 

 hall and Corinthian hexastvle colonnade no doubt 

 revive the glories of the Roman villa of sixteen hundred 

 years ago. It is magnificence itself, being indeed 

 designed something after the manner of the Vatican 

 at Rome, and decorated with rare and costlv marbles 

 and frescoes ; but perhaps, to any one less than an 

 emperor or a pope, a little unhomely and uncomfortable 

 to live in. Since 1888 it has been the seat of Sir 

 Jeremiah Colman, of Colmaivs Mustard, created a 

 Baronet, 1907 : 



Mother, get it if you're able, 

 See the trade mark on the label, 

 Column's Mustard is the Best — [Advt.], 



as some unlaurelled bard of the grocery trade once 

 sang, in deathless verse. 



XVII 



Half a mile short of what is now Redhill town, there 

 once stood vet another toll-crate. " Frenches " Gate 

 took its title from the old manor on which it stood, and 

 the manor itself probably derived its name from the 

 unenclosed or free (franche) land of which it was 

 wholly or largely composed. 



Redhill town has not existed long enough to have 

 accumulated any history. When the more direct 

 route was made this way, avoiding Reigate, in 1816, 

 Redhill was — a hill. The hill is still here, as the 

 cyclist well enough knows, and we will take on trust 

 that red gravel whence its name comes ; but since 

 K 



