"Le retour au Village natal" and "Traduction libre". Rough draft of Chinese traditions. Handwritten in French, 3 pieces, 11 pages

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.

"Goldsmith. An Almanack" for 1832. Small leather bound almanac with annotations on blank pages including literary quotes, notes on Greek, medicines/chemicals, uses of word "face", Chinese stories, Aristotle. Loose sheets include calling card from Sir William Gell asking Manning to accompany him to the Chinese Museum; calling card for Francisque Michel; newspaper cutting regarding the donation of Thomas Manning's library to the RAS by the executors of Manning's will. Red leather cover with loose sheets inserted.

Draft letter from Thomas Manning to Mr [Willis ?Wilkins (see TM/5/8)]. He expresses his regret in that he had hoped to send some Chinese paintings and some seeds but had been let down in acquiring them. Instead he sends some Chinese pencils and Chinese ink. He remembers their family situation with affection. He is well treated in Canton but it is not easy to make progress in learning about the culture and inhabitants. But he is quite happy. He suggests that Du Halde's account is accurate. In a postscript he asks to be remembered to Mrs Roberts and wonders whether she is related to the President in Canton who is also named Roberts. Dated 24 April 1807. Handwritten, 1 piece, 3 sides. There is also a later handwritten transcription of the letter, 3 pieces, 3 sides.

Thomas Manning lived in Asia from 1807-1817, mainly in Canton and Macao. But he also tried to reach the interior of China via Tibet. The correspondence covers this period and is of both official and personal nature.

"Collect. Inquirend". Notes on Chinese life, culture and language. Handwritten notes, strung into folder, 4 sheets, 15 sides

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.

Chinese jests continued. 37, 38, 39, 40-53 with additional notes about 49 & 50. Handwritten, 2 pieces, each 3 sheets. May have been sent to Charles Lamb or written whilst staying at his house on scrap paper- they appear to be addressed to him in Islington

Thomas Manning's Chinese book collection was donated to the RAS Library after his death. However his books were added to the general Chinese collections. At some point, there has been an attempt to identify those in the collection which had belonged to Manning. This series consists of two catalogues, some notes on Manning and one later letter. The majority of the Chinese book collection in the RAS was donated to the Brotherton Library, Leeds, in 1963.

Handwritten catalogue of the Books of Thomas Manning that were in the Chinese Collection of the RAS Library. Each item has an individual sheet which names, describes, visualises and dates the publication. It is unknown when this catalogue was made but before the Chinese Collection was donated to the Brotherton Library in 1963.