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These Papers consist of a single document - a handwritten manuscript with label, 'Notes on China and the Chinese'. This label also reads 'Read 7th April 1847. This is inaccurate - the General Meeting Minutes of the Society record that Sir George Staunton read the paper from the Reverend George Smith at the meeting of the 17th April 1847. The manuscript relates details of geography, politics, education, religion and culture. The manuscript is dated London, April 7th 1847 in the same hand as the creator and 'Read 17 April 1847' in a different hand.

Correspondence and Papers written by Captain Thomas John Newbold between 1842 and 1849. The majority of the correspondence is from Newbold to Richard Clarke, the Secretary of the Royal Asiatic Society. The Papers were mainly sent by Newbold to be read at the Society or published in its Journal.

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.

A map of the southern coast of China, in the form of a scroll, covering the area of present-day Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi. Labels various major towns and smaller islands along the coast, including Guangzhou, Chaozhou, present-day Hong Kong and Macao and more, with a scale bar and legend. Also indicates locations of settlements and military structures such as towers and forts, with text describing the depth of water and distance from the coast at various points. Measures 40cm high and 485cm wide. The map was removed from its original wooden case which is now kept together.

An accompanying typed note refers the item as 'Ch'ou hai t'u pien' (籌海圖編), No. 429 on page 75 of Samuel Kidd's catalogue and a donation by Sir George Staunton. This catalogue reference appears to be incorrect, as it does not correspond to Kidd's Catalogue of the Chinese Library of the Royal Asiatic Society (1838), but Henry Holt's A Catalogue of the Chinese Manuscript in the Library of the Royal Asiatic Society (1890). However, Holt's entry describes a set of 8 volumes of 'Ch'ou hai t'u pien' published in 1624, instead of a single map, and this scroll could not have been part of the volumes.

It is possible that this map was adapted from those originally published in 'Ch'ou hai t'u pien', with extra information added to it, and was specially made for Staunton. Another source from which this map might have taken reference is 'Ya nhai quan tu' (沿海全圖), part of 'Hai guo wen jian lu' (海國聞見錄), compiled by Chen Lunjiong in 1730.

Correspondence with Raymond Head mainly concerned with identification of artworks in the Society's Collections.

Letter from Geoff Salter, Hampshire County Library, to Raymond Head to enclose information regarding the pictures and articles that were in the house of George Staunton, Leigh Park House, Hampshire, in 1836. He asks whether any in the list match those in the Royal Asiatic Society's Collections. A photocopy of the list is with the letter. The list bears some handwritten annotations of items that are or were in the Society's Collections.

Letter from Susan Sloman to Raymond Head to discuss William Alexander and George Staunton. She sends a copy of an article from The Connoissuer with her letter and suggests a catalogue on William Alexander which might also be helpful. The article is with the letter - "Lord Macartney's audience with the Emperor of China" by Susan Legouix from the Connoissseur, February 1979, pp.122-127.

The Papers include correspondence between Thomas Manning and his family, friends and some official correspondence ranging from his childhood, through Cambridge days, time in France, travels to China and India and his later life.These reflect both Manning's interests and the wide range of contacts that he cultivated.

There are also original notebooks and notes, some documenting his travels including his journey through Tibet; others reflecting his interests in mathematics, poetry & riddles and Catholic emancipation. There is also an early Manuscript for "The Journey of Thomas Manning to Lhasa".

Other highlights in the Collection include early English and European passports, calling cards, and later receipts

These Papers give an insight into this unique man formerly best known for his relationship with Charles Lamb. These Papers show that Manning was also a man of talent, charisma and determination in his study of China and the Chinese language.

Twenty-six items of correspondence plus a further label. The majority of the correspondence is from Thomas Newbold to Richard Clarke. There is a single letter from Newbold to George Thomas Staunton; and a single letter from Richard Wood to Newbold.

Letter from Captain Thomas John Newbold to Sir George Thomas Staunton in which he writes that he is returning to India after two years in Syria, Palestine and Asia Minor. The fine climate of Syria has improved his health. He intends returning to India through Persia. He sends with the letter copies of inscriptions to be presented to the Royal Asiatic Society. He writes to warn that a parcel of his had been lost last December. He writes of his thoughts on archaeology after the success of Messrs Layard and Botha at Nineveh. Please note that part of this letter is over-written by Newbold - the writing being both horizontally and vertically on the page.