The Epicure's Almanac or Diary of Good Living
October 1st : A HAUNCH OF MUTTON BRISTOL FASHION
The West India merchants of Bristol often cause a haunch of mutton to be buried in a hogshead of brown sugar for three weeks or a month; and if the meat so treated be five or six years old, it m a y very easily be mistaken for venison.
The natives of Ceylon are in the habit of covering down newly killed venison with honey in large earthen pots; these are not opened for three years, and the meat so preserved is said to be of the most exquisite flavour.