The 'Aja'ib al Tabaqat' (Wonders of the Universe) is a Persian text that was purchased by Sir Alexander Burnes in the Bazar of Bukhara 1832. This translation lists the author of the 'Aja'ib al Tabaqat' as 'Muhammad Tahir, son of Abul Qasim.' The 'Aja'ib al Tabaqat' is part of the 'aja'ib' genre in medieval Islamic literature, 'aja'ib' meaning 'marvelous, strange or unusual.' The 'aja'ib' genre consists of discussions on the marvels of the world and often contain cosmographical content. The 'Aja'ib al Tabaqat' includes a creation story, accounts of Islamic prophets and descriptions of various countries and cities. Sir Legrand's translation states the original text by Muhammad Tahir son of Abul Qasim, was written in 1819.

The text consists of one hardbound volume of handwritten text. It is an incomplete manuscript in that Sir Legrand Jacob has omitted various sections in his translation, indicating where he has done so. The pastedowns include text in another language.
The volume contains a pencil drawing of a temple titled 'A temple near […]' At the beginning of the text is a handwritten letter from Sir Legrand Jacob, dated 'Kutch, June 20 1853' which states that in his opinion, the text was not worth translating but he reluctantly complied to the request from the Oriental Translation Committee and translated it. This letter mentions Sir Gore Ouseley.

There are three Chinese documents concerning trade and interaction with the English. With the documents are English abstracts and modern Chinese translations created in 2018.

These letters concern the possible employment of the two Chinese men who had come to England with Thomas Manning, and ask for help with the cost of Manning's expenses regarding these gentlemen. These date from 1817-1818.

Two draft accounts of the incident with the sailors from the Neptune [Date 1808] Handwritten, One is 2 pieces each 4 sides; the other 1 piece, 3 sides

Draft letter from Thomas Manning to the Directors of the East India Company concerning the Chinese man he has brought with him and whether the East India Company would have reason to employ him. Written From Dr Tuthill's, 13 Soho Square, the letter's postscript has the words "stupid letter" in Manning's hand. Dated 1817. Handwritten, 1 piece, 3 sides

First Volume - Java Antiquities

• First section - Lists and corrrespondence regarding the possible second publication of Sir T. S. Raffles' book, History of Java, with notes by Mr Hammond, Sir T. S. Raffles and the Duke of Somerset.
• Second section - Handwritten descriptions of four Javanese temples; Cobon Dalum, Sewu, Jonggrangan and Loro Jongran, likely written by T. S. Raffles.
• Third section - 'Memorandum made on a visit to the ancient Hindu Remains on Gunung Prau in the Island of Java, during the month of September 1815, illustrated with Plans & sketches taken on the spot', likely written by T. S. Raffles.
• Fourth section - 'Extracts from the private Journals of Captain G. P. Baker, 19th Regt Bengal Infantry, of all memories made on the spot relative to the Collection of antiquarians Drawing [etc] made by him in a tour thro' the interior of Java in the years 1815/16'. Handwritten with accompanying drawings.

Investigation into British warships entering Chinese internal waters which triggers an investigation of foreign business in the Canton area. The local government rules the pertinent issues are architectural forms of foreign shops plus the prohibition of locals contacting and working with foreigners without government approval. The local commander also discovered that compradors were negotiating business with borrowed funds from foreign businesses, some of which were not qualified to undertake this. There is a record of George Thomas Staunton's background including his contacts, length of stay, personal experiences and language skills. Four paper documents handwritten in Chinese. The paper is fragile. With these documents is an English abstract and translation into modern Chinese undertaken in 2018.

Letter from Joseph Dart, Secretary at East India Company, to Thomas Manning. This letter informs him that the Court will not undertake to defray any expenses Manning has incurred in bringing the Chinese men to England and that they have no need of them at the College. Dated 8th January 1818. Handwritten, 1 piece, 2 sides

Letter from Thomas Manning to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Honorable Court of Directors of the East India Company asking for help with defraying the costs of 2 Chinese men he has brought from Canton - one, a literary Chinese, to help with his studies; the other, a native of the province of Honan, who speaks the language with the greatest purity, as a servant but also he thought would be of use to East India Company men at the College preparing to go to the factory at Canton. He estimates that the costs he will incur are £1000. Undated [1818], Handwritten, 1 piece, 3 sides

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Canton. He writes about the letters that he received. He has earned some money translating Company edicts but is glad not to be employed by them but is willing to let them aid his pursuits. He then writes his opinions of the war between France and Spain, and England's involvement, and about the capturing of the Danish fleet. The English fleet has been expelled from Macao, it was a tense time with firing on both sides. He gives a listed assessment of the situation. His beard is now a foot long. Handwritten, 4 sides. Dated 1 March 1809