Thomas Manning was an inveterate note-taker, making notes about all aspects of knowledge that interested him. These notes and notebooks cover from his early mathematical and poetical musing, through his travels in China and Tibet to later concerns regarding Roman Catholic emancipation. They have been organised into various sections mainly according to their subject manner.Thus:

• TM/9/1: Notebook with inserts from time at university to later life and covering all topics.
• TM/9/2 - 5 A series of notebooks from Manning's time in China and Tibet including notes on his travels and language studies
• TM/9/6 Loose notes from Chinese period
• TM/9/7 Pocket almanacs with annotations
• TM/9/8 Poetry and Riddles
• TM/9/9 Mathematical Notes and Notebooks
• TM/9/10 Notes on Roman Catholic Emancipation

Hardcover folder with green /red marbling. The initial M is written on ink on front cover. This contains notes, some of which are still held to the cover, others are loose and include three small notebooks. They cover from Manning's time at university to his later years.

Drawing of Chinese Gentlemen with some Chinese characters. Pink paper with evidence of previous insect damage (宋=Sòng 生=Mister 行=to go 劉=Liú 軍官=General 拜=bye;pay respect. Mr.[Sòng ]is leaving and General Liú bids him farewell )

Chinese notebook, small, green cloth covered. Contains notes of a linguistic nature in Latin, English and French. Inserted are several loose sheets of paper including a receipt in Chinese dated 1816; Latin and English notes; 2 sheets of mathematical problems, one of which is on the reverse of a letter to Thomas Manning from [Lowe Ammo] concerning payment, dated P.N. Island (Penang) 23 February 1813.

Chinese notebook, small, green cloth covered. Contains notes on Chinese grammar and language with comparisons with English language; comments on the use of Greek in Homer's Iliad. Back cover has pencil sketch of [Tibetan/Chinese house]. Loose sheets include 2 drafts of a love poem dated 15 October 1812; some Latin sentences; title "Notes on Lassa" with mathematical calculations on reverse.

Chinese notebook, small, green cloth covered, including original pencil. Contains Chinese vocabularies; 2 sketches of Dalai Lama; shopping lists and memos; medical notes; list of English words beginning 'ab'; diary notes on leaving Lhasa; notes on literature - French, Greek, etc.; mathematical problems. Inserted are loose sheets of paper - more diary notes; numerical list.