Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Paris. He wonders whether his last letter got to his father as he had written about the assassination attempt. He continues to write about French politics and the suppression of the truth, and how Parisiennes will make up their 'truth' according to their disposition. He will send this letter with Mr Taylor who is returning to England and whom Manning will miss. Taylor has introduced Manning to "Dr Hagar, the Conservator of the Oriental manuscripts at the National Library who is about to publish a Chinese dictionary under the auspices of the French Government. The Dr and I shall probably become intimate, as I am learning the Chinese tongue, & so curious a language is a greater bond of union among men than even Free-masonry". Manning writes that he has been occupied in finishing a mathematical work which he intends to send to Carnot (Lazare Nicolas Marguerite, Comte Carnot 13 May 1753 – 2 August 1823) in manuscript. He is also involved in other analytical investigations. He is been to the countryside around Paris on 2 or 3 excursions and admires Versailles. Handwritten, 4 sides. Dated Tuesday 8th June 1802
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Paris. He is preparing to leave France but must visit Madame de Serrant before he returns to England. He suggests meeting his father in Cambridge. He wants to go there to peruse some books such as Du Haldes History of China. He reassures "do not be alarmed - different people have different lots - mine is to wander for a while". He writes about his algebra book wondering whether the 50 copies he sent to Ireland are still in Mr Arthurs' shop in Dublin. He writes about other books; about being unwell and how poor the medical knowledge is in France with people dying of being bled; the weather is very cold so there has been skating on the Seine; that people in Paris are concerned that there might be a war between England and France possibly based on Bonaparte's address to the Legislation in which he alluded to the possibility of a maritime war. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 17th Ventose (8th March) 1803
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Paris. He writes about his difficult journey through snow with horses falling and includes a sketch of the situation. This meant he arrived late and so was fatigued. He had walked around Paris that morning and seen the Palais Royal. He prefers Paris to London and reiterates this later in the letter. He writes abut meeting his friend Tuthill (Sir George Leman Tuthill ,1772–1835), his wife (Maria) and child (Laura Maria). The letter is written over 2 days and then re-opened to put in a note about forwarding his mail. He is considered an American by his hosts which is of benefit he states in that they expect him to live frugally. He states his address as No 165, Hotel Beauvalet, Rue de la Jussienne. Handwritten, 4 sides. Dated 8 January 1802
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Paris. He writes "Paris is a place where Luxury abounds and riots uncontrolled" though he himself lives in a retired manner. He has met Mr De Maimieux "a learned man who has invented a new language which he calls Pasigraphie". He also met an English gentleman... who has the confidence of the French Government as he has a civil place in Belgium (no name given). This man introduced him to Maria Cosway, (English painter and Engraver, 11 June 1760 – 5 January 1838)). This man has offered "to introduce me to a man who has travelled to the interior of China and who is acquainted with Chinese manners - a subject that much interests me" This man can also be of service in a literary way. Manning was admitted to the antichambers and saw Bonaparte: "I had an excellent view of him both in his going out and his returning. What a God like countenance he has! his demeanour to the spectators was very affable & unaffected. I have so exalted idea of him as a great man, that when he passed & turned his face to the party where I stood, I had a violent emotion, even to tears". He admits much is said against him and that banishments are taking place. He mentions the carnival which has just finished. Handwritten, 4 sides. Dated Tuesday 18th Ventose (French Republican Calendar) 9 March 1802
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Penrith. He is staying with the family of his friend, (Charles) Lloyd, a friend from Cambridge. He writes about his trips out in the Lake District, about the Lloyd family and of going to stay at the Clarksons to see Martindale and Ullswater. Handwritten, 4 sides. Postmarked July 15, 1799
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Portsmouth. He writes he is about to board but detained by the Jews' Sabbath as he wants to change some notes into dollars. He continues the letter on board the Thames. They are delayed in sailing and lie off the Isle of Wight. The owner, Mr Chapman, is on board, and as soon as he found out that Manning was a scholar and a mathematician, it has made a huge difference - the owner wishes Manning to instruct his son and friend, and this has meant that Manning has been given a "cabin and servants and everything I want". Handwritten, 3 sides. Postmarked 13 May, 1806
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Rajpur. He is hoping to enter Tibet as a trader and has sent for goods from Calcutta. He is living with an Indian family and describes the earth floor and bamboo mat walls. He is pursuing trains of thought on language study but is yet unable to prove his pretensions. He writes his thoughts about language, man's deeds and religion. Handwritten, 2 sides. Dated 20 December 1810
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Toulouse, France. He responds to his father's letter which he found in Toulouse. He then continues to recount his travels. He writes about an encounter with a Cambridgeman in Marseilles who offered him letters of introduction and use of his quarters in the Temple, London. But Manning found that he could not be friends with this man and in the end refused the letters, hopefully to teach him a lesson about proper manners. He sailed from Marseilles to Toulon but returned by road. Handwritten, 4 sides. Dated 17 September 1802
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Toulouse, France. He starts by saying he has received a letter from his father. He then tells of meeting Madame Serrant, daughter of the Marquis de Vaudrieuil, known from the American wars. He will escort Madame to her chateau in the Loire near Nantes, forgoing visiting Bordeaux, but pleased to travel with "a very pleasant woman, handsome apparently 25, but she says 32, of good family & princely connexions, & very sensible". He has also met a Mr Vaughan and they "pleased each other, & so our acquaintance commenced". He has found out the Mr Darby (who he met in Marseilles) is "a very Great Lyer". He writes that he has had no sport shooting having been out only 4 times with only a hound for a dog. Handwritten, 4 sides. Dated 28 October [1802]
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Cambridge. He writes about the end of term and hoping to visit Diss in January. He has been unwell but "5 grains of Dr James' noble powder expelled the enemy". He had been to a dinner to celebrate Dr Cousons [moving]; political speculations show anxiety towards Russia and Prague. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated by a later hand as December 1800