Take 1/2lb of cranberries, 6oz of sugar, a pinch of soda, a teaspoonful of lemon juice and 7.5fl ozs of water.
Pick over and wash the cranberries, put them in a stew-pan with the water and soda. Remove the scum as soon as it begins to boil, then add the sugar, and boil gently for about 20 minutes, and keep covered whilst boiling. Remove the lid and add the lemon juice, reduce briskly for a few minutes until the liquid stiffens; strain into a wetted mould or any earthen vessel, allow it to set in a cool place, and turn out when required. This is not exactly a sauce, although the Americans usually describe it as such. It forms a very excellent and most appropriate accompaniment with roast turkey.
And this shows it can be taken literally!