Cambridge Chronicle 24 Dec 1859: Cawcutt sheep meat for sale
Mr. W. Palmer, of Petty-cury, ranks first upon our record, both for the quantity and quality of his meat. During the week his shop has been a perfect picture; and at night, when the gas jets shed their light upon huge sides of beef and streaky unctuous ribs, it was a sight that would melt the heart of the most rigid vegetarian. Scores of passers-by stopped and feasted their eyes on the appetite-provoking sight. Mr. Palmer has this year killed 21 bullocks, including three polled Scots, fed by himself, whose average weight was 80 stones; also one weighing over 100 stones. These four, which were purchased at Barnet fair, were exhibited at the Corn Exchange on Saturday, and elected general encomiums from those who profess to be versed in the characteristics of good beeves. Mr. Palmer has also slaughtered what we may term the “prize” bullock, being the largest in the town, which reached the great weight of 112 stone; the animal was grazed on Mr. Palmer’s farm, and his “fair proportions” occupied no small space of the shop this week. The remainder of the bullocks came from Lincolnshire, and were in all respects fine beasts. Mr. Palmer slaughtered, in addition to the above, 50 remarkably fine sheep, weighing from 11 to 14 stone each, and fed by Mr. Cawcutt, of Trumpington. It would be by no means an easy task, or one to be performed in a short space of time, we imagine, to trace the contents of that shop to the houses of the various customers; at the same time, it would be gratifying to witness the happy faces surrounding one of those lordly joints in the well-furnished tables of the opulent, or the comfort which one of less pretentious size will bring to the cottage of the poor.