How to Make a Flaming Drink, 1862

"Blue Blazer. (Use two large silver-plated mugs, with handles.) 

1 wine-glass of Scotch whiskey.
1 do. [ditto] boiling water. 

Put the whiskey and the boiling water in one mug, ignite the liquid with fire, and while blazing mix both ingredients by pouring them four or five times from one mug to the other, as represented in the cut. If well done this will have the appearance of a continued stream of liquid fire. Sweeten with one teaspoonful of pulverized white sugar, and serve in a small bar tumbler, with a piece of lemon peel.
...The novice in mixing this beverage should be careful not to scald himself. To become proficient in throwing the liquid from one mug to the other, it will be necessary to practise for some time with cold water." 

Jerry Thomas, How to Mix Drinks: Or, the Bon-Vivant's Companion (1862)

The splendid mustache is a prerequisite, but be careful not to ignite it while mixing this manly drink.

How to Wear a Waistcoat, 1860

"What a handsome waistcoat you have on!"
Gazette of Fashion, 1872

"Dear Past, How should a man wear a waistcoat?" 

"A gentleman should always be so well dressed that his dress shall never be observed at all. Does this sound like an enigma? It is not meant for one. It only implies that perfect simplicity is perfect elegance, and that the true test of taste in the toilette of a gentleman is its entire harmony, unobtrusiveness and becomingness. If any friend should say to you, 'What a handsome waistcoat you have on!' you may depend that a less handsome waistcoat would be in better taste."

Mixing in Society (1860)

This is a good method for taste-testing your toilette. And also for ridiculing the garish waistcoats of your acquaintances.

How to Swim Like a Man, 1855

"Every swimmer should use short drawers, and might, in particular places, use canvass slippers. It is even of great importance to be able to swim in jacket and trousers."  

Donald Walker, Walker's Manly Exercises (1855)

You have to get to a job interview, and the bridge is out. Do you miss the appointment, or arrive in your short drawers? Neither. You wear your suit. Like a man. 

How to Run, 1836

"The tread is neither with the mere balls of the toes, nor with the whole sole of the foot; and the spring is made rapidly from one foot to the other, so that they pass each other with great velocity... A mile in five minutes is good running. Two miles in ten minutes is oftener failed than accomplished. Four miles in twenty is said to puzzle the cleverest." 

Donald Walker, British Manly Exercises (1836)

It's hard to focus on division problems when you're dashing around in a top hat, but take it from The Past: if you can run four miles in twenty minutes, you are a genius. 

How to Get Strong, 1884

"To Obtain a Good Biceps. Mounting a ladder or a rope hand-over-hand; lifting any weight in front of you, whether a feather or a barrel of sugar... pulling downward on a rope, as in hauling up a sail; hammering-- in short, anything which bends the elbow and draws the hand in toward the shoulder, takes the biceps muscle; and, if the work is vigorous and persisted in, this muscle will ere long become strong and well-shaped."

           William Blaikie, How to Get Strong and How to Stay So (1884)

After all that rope climbing, sugar-barrel lifting, and sail hauling, you'll not only have the desired guns, but you'll also be ready for a career as a swashbuckling pirate. Though you may just want to lounge shirtless and practice your come-hither gaze (Fig. 1; Fig. 2). 

 

How to Grow a Beard, 1539

"Dear Past, Your discussion of facial hair is intriguing, but I am not sure that I can grow such an excellent beard. Can you help? Sincerely, Wanting to Woo with Whiskers." 

Try this: 

"To make hair and beard grow. Take honeybees in quantity and dry them in a basket by the fire, then make a powder of them, which you thin out with olive oil, and with this ointment, dab several times the place where you would like to have hair, and you will see miracles." 

          Traicté nouveau, intitulé, bastiment de receptes (1539)

Know what's even better than a beard? A beard made of bees. Ladies will go wild.

How to Woo with Whiskers, 1839

“Although large Beards were not favoured by ladies, yet a well dressed one was less objectionable. A modern work (without giving any authority) mentions that a fine black whisker elegantly turned up was a mark of dignity with the fair sex.”  

John Adey Repton, Some Account of the Beard and the Moustachio (1839)

This interesting little history of the beard and the "moustachio" offers some tips for the well-dressed whisker. All I have to say is that #12 is a mighty fine muzzle mane.