"To tell the age of any horse, ""Inspect the lower jaw, of course.""The six front teeth the tale will tell, ""And every doubt and fear dispel. " Have you ever wondered how to pan for gold, train a falcon, or make a love potion? Could you smoke your own bacon or correctly address a Maharajah? If not, fear not--with this book you will know how to do all of these things and more. "How to Skin a Lion" is a fascinating collection of miscellaneous historical advice, gathered from the magnificent archives of the British Library. Drawing on medieval manuscripts, Victorian manuals, and early twentieth-century self-help guides, this book uncovers an extraordinary range of advice dealing with everything from etiquette to apiculture, medicine to mechanics. In "How to Skin a Lion" readers will encounter a past devoid of modern conveniences, when navigating the social scene was fraught with perils, getting dinner might get you killed, and Google, alas, was nowhere to be found.".