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TM/09/ : Notebooks and Notes


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

TM/9/1 Hardcover folder with green /red marbling

Hardcover folder with green /red marbling. The initial M is written on ink on front cover. This contains notes, some…


TM/9/1/01-Handmade notebook with language notes

A small handmade notebook with a beige paper cover. It contains pencilled notes which appear to be notes about books…


TM/9/1/02-Handmade notebook: notes on books, Bible and language construction

A small handmade notebook with a beige paper cover with two loose sheets inserted into the notebook. Includes notes on…


TM/9/1/03-Handmade notebook: notes on language construction

A small handmade notebook with a beige paper cover. Mainly notes on language construction and usage. Handwritten in English, Latin,…


TM/9/1/04-Unbound notebook inside envelope addressed to B Dobell Esq

An envelope addressed to B Dobell Esq. Postmarked [1904] (Edward VII halfpenny green stamp embossed on envelope) (Bertram Dobell, 1842-1914…


TM/9/1/05-Notes on Chinese stories

Notes on Chinese stories, pages 9-20, stories 39-48. Inserted into a paper cover written “Some queer stories here B.D” (Bertram…


TM/9/1/06-Poem about despair over numbers – or a lady

Two stanza poem about his despair over numbers – or a lady. Handwritten in English 1 piece, 1 side Dated…


TM/9/1/07 Chinese jests continued

Chinese jests continued. 37, 38, 39, 40-53 with additional notes about 49 & 50. Handwritten, 2 pieces, each 3 sheets….


TM/9/1/08-Rough drafts of Chinese stories

Very rough drafts of Chinese stories. From Volume 2. Handwritten in English. One sheet has Chinese characters. . Undated


TM/9/1/09-Notes from St Helena

Notes probably from Manning’s time at St Helena on his return from China. These notes mention both Napoleon and Hudson…


TM/9/1/10-Article on Whistling

Short article on whistling. Handwritten in French. 1 piece, 1 side Dated lundi 1 priarial (May/June)


TM/9/1/11 “Le retour au Village natal” and “Traduction libre”

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


TM/9/1/12-Notes on English grammar

Notes on English grammar and the substantive form. Handwritten 2 pieces, 6 sides


TM/9/1/13-Notes on Greek language

Notes on Greek language and on the use of a singular word to convey the substance of many phrases. Mention…


TM/9/1/14-Notes on Tartars dress

Notes on Tartars dress; on Europe and Chinese books – often banned by authorities for Chinese soldiers to carry books….


TM/9/1/15-Notes and thoughts on Implicit Faith

Notes and Thoughts on a book (possibly Poverty of Spirit. Dr Hammond’s Practical Collections) concerning “Implicit Faith belongs to fools…


TM/9/1/16-Notes on Homilies and the Roman Catholic Faith

Notes on Homilies and the Roman Catholic Faith. Handwritten, 1 piece, 4 sides


TM/9/1/17-Draft poem on Copper and the Power of Steam

Draft ?poem on copper and the Power of Steam. On reverse Manning’s address at Redbourn, St Albans. Handwritten 1 piece,…


TM/9/1/18 Draft of a conversation with “James”

Uncovered handmade notebook containing draft of a conversation with “James” about an extraordinary walk in Cambridge, possibly fiction. With small…


TM/9/1/19-Notes on Oliver Cromwell’s speech of 1657

Notes on Oliver Cromwell’s speech entitled His Highness Answer of the Conference at Whitehall April 13, 1657. Handwritten, 1 piece,…


TM/9/1/20-Drafts of speeches read out at Cambridge

Drafts of speeches read out at Cambridge concerning the merits of two princes. One claims it was read in contradiction…


TM/9/1/21 Rough draft of “Revolutionary Song of Freedom” in 10 stanzas

Rough draft of “Revolutionary Song of Freedom” in 10 stanzas. Handwritten, 1 piece, 2 sides


TM/9/1/22 “Written in the early times of the French Revolution” – a poem in 10 stanzas

“Written in the early times of the French Revolution” – a poem in 10 stanzas. Later added in pencil “Foolish…


TM/9/1/23 “Part of Song of Passionate Man” Script/song in two parts + Drafts of other poems

“Part of Song of Passionate Man” Script/song in two parts + Drafts of other poems. Handwritten, 1 piece, 4 sides


TM/9/1/24-Draft of a poem concerning the death of a man on a scaffold.

“Strange verses and mock titles”. Draft of a poem concerning the death of a man on a scaffold. List of…


TM/9/1/24-Draft of a poem concerning the death of a man on a scaffold.

“Strange verses and mock titles”. Draft of a poem concerning the death of a man on a scaffold. List of…


TM/9/1/25-Copies of verses and quotes

Copies of verses and quotes. Handwritten, 1 piece, 3 sides


TM/9/1/25-Copies of verses and quotes

Copies of verses and quotes. Handwritten, 1 piece, 3 sides


TM/9/1/26-Notes on “The danger of Passion” involving Antonio and his wife, Frederic, Julio, Narcipa and Balthezar

Notes on “The danger of Passion” involving Antonio and his wife, Frederic, Julio, Narcipa and Balthezar. Handwritten, 1 piece, 1…


TM/9/1/27-Draft concerning the beauty of Liberty and Freedom

Two copies of a draft concerning the beauty of Liberty and Freedom. There is mention of William, so possibly was…


TM/9/1/27-Draft concerning the beauty of Liberty and Freedom

Two copies of a draft concerning the beauty of Liberty and Freedom. There is mention of William, so possibly was…


TM/9/1/28-Draft advertisement for a widow lady to care for a boy and girl

Draft advertisement from the guardians for a widow lady to care for a boy and girl; preferably situated in the…


TM/9/1/29-Notes “On the particle par”

Notes “On the particle par”. Notes on linguistics. Handwritten, 3 pieces, 11 sides


TM/9/1/30-Notes on Catholic and Church of England faiths

Notes on Catholic and Church of England faiths. Small handmade notebook, 12 sides


TM/9/1/31-Notes on Pepys Diary

Notes on Pepys diary. Handwritten, 1 folded piece, 5 sides


TM/9/1/32-Notes on moral and Newtonian systems

Notes on moral and Newtonian systems; sheet of handwritten notes, 1 piece, 2 sides


TM/9/1/33-Observations on the Consumption of Tea in Bootan, Tibet and Tartary

“Observations on the Consumption of Tea in Bootan, Tibet and Tartary; and on the practicability of advantageously furnishing that article…


TM/9/1/34-Notes on Manning’s failed attempt to reach Peking

Notes on Manning’s failed attempt to reach Peking by becoming European Physician and assistant Astronomer to the Emperor. Handwritten notes,…


TM/9/1/35-Notes on the Social History of Quakers

Notes on the Social History of Quakers. Small handmade notebook, 8 pages


TM/9/1/36-Draft of a letter from Thomas Manning regarding Chinese translations

Draft of a letter from Thomas Manning. He seems to be leaving some Chinese translations with the recipient in case…


TM/9/1/37-Assortment of notes on scraps of paper

Assortment of notes on scraps of paper. Handwritten, 14 pieces


TM/9/1/38-“Collect. Inquirend”. Notes on Chinese life, culture and language.

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


TM/9/1/39-Notes made in 1807 from his reading, and on observations in Canton

“Notes” Notes made by Manning during 1807 from his reading, and on observations in Canton. Handwritten notes, strung into folder….


TM/9/10/1-Neat Drafts of seven letters “On Catholic Restrictions” concerning the restrictions in place on those of the Catholic faith

Neat Drafts of seven letters “On Catholic Restrictions” concerning the restrictions in place on those of the Catholic faith. [1825]…


TM/9/10/2-Earlier draft of Letter III “On Catholic Restrictions”

Earlier draft of Letter III “On Catholic Restrictions” [1825] Handwritten, 2 pieces, 2 sides


TM/9/10/4-Notes on Catholicism created into sections D2, D3, E1-4, F1-3, G1-5, H1-4

Notes on Catholicism created into sections D2, D3, E1-4, F1-3, G1-5, H1-4. Handwritten, 18 pieces, 18 sides


TM/9/10/5-Notes on Catholicism, 28 leaves of a notebook, binding and cover lost

Notes on Catholicism, 28 leaves of a notebook, binding and cover lost. Handwritten, 28 pieces.


TM/9/10/6-Various loose sheets on which Thomas Manning has written notes concerning Catholic Emancipation

Various loose sheets on which Thomas Manning has written notes concerning Catholic Emancipation. Handwritten 14 pieces, 30 sides


TM/9/2- Notebook containing notes on Tibetan vocabulary

Notebook containing notes on Tibetan vocabulary. Also some Latin notes and notes on events and people in China; grammar notes;…


TM/9/3-Chinese notebook, small green cloth covered, including original pencil

Chinese notebook, small green cloth covered, including original pencil. Contains Chinese vocabularies; 2 sketches of Dalai Lama; shopping lists and…


TM/9/4-Chinese notebook, small green cloth covered

Chinese notebook, small green cloth covered. Contains notes of a linguistic nature in Latin, English and French. Inserted are several…


TM/9/5-Chinese notebook, small green cloth covered

Chinese notebook, small green cloth covered. Contains notes on Chinese grammar and language with comparisons with English language; comments on…


TM/9/6/1-Translation of a Chinese Prescription

“Translation of a Chinese Prescription” and notes regarding a complaint of the liver, stomach and kidneys. Dated 22 September, 1815….


TM/9/6/2-Memorandums of the Factories, Residents at Canton & Macao

Label for “Memorandums of the Factories, Residents at Canton & Macao. For Amusement”. Handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side


TM/9/6/3-Farewell Note from General Liu

Drawing of Chinese Gentlemen with some Chinese characters. Pink paper with evidence of previous insect damage (宋=Sòng 生=Mister 行=to go…


TM/9/7/1-Goldsmith. An Almanack for 1825

“Goldsmith. An Almanack” for 1825. Small leather bound almanac with annotations on blank pages including on the price of rhubarb,…


TM/9/7/2-Goldsmith. An Almanack for 1826

“Goldsmith. An Almanack” for 1826. Small leather bound almanac with annotations on blank pages on Catholicism, Chinese, Literature, Publications, quotes…


TM/9/7/3-Goldsmith. An Almanack for 1831

“Goldsmith. An Almanack” for 1831. Small leather bound almanac with annotations on blank pages including book titles, Polish Consonants, politics….


TM/9/7/4-Goldsmith. An Almanack for 1832

“Goldsmith. An Almanack” for 1832. Small leather bound almanac with annotations on blank pages including literary quotes, notes on Greek,…


TM/9/7/5-Goldsmith. An Almanack for 1833

“Goldsmith. An Almanack” for 1833. Small leather bound almanac with annotations on blank pages including Chinese symbols, weather recording, Greek…


TM/9/8/01-Exercise book containing riddles

Exercise book containing riddles. The riddles are numbered but not consecutively. The final page has a list of anagrams. Undated….


TM/9/8/02-A set of ten riddles

A set of ten riddles on slips of paper, numbered 1 -10. Undated, handwritten, 10 pieces, 10 sides


TM/9/8/03-Drafts of a riddle in French

Drafts of a riddle in French “Charade sur le mot mair, Par une Dame Russe”, Undated, handwritten, 2 pieces, 2…


TM/9/8/04-“Riddle. In most rhetorical debate…”

“Riddle. In most rhetorical debate…” Undated, handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side


TM/9/8/05-“J. Hudson, Tobacconist to the Royal Family” – small printed advertisement with riddle.

“J. Hudson, Tobacconist to the Royal Family” – small printed advertisement with riddle. On reverse, manning has written “Mr Hudson’s…


TM/9/8/06-Two pieces of papers created into envelopes to contain clues

Two pieces of papers created into envelopes to contain clues. Labelled 2 & 3 they have messages to direct the…


TM/9/8/07-Four versions of text – possibly translations texts, or creative writing, or notes, Labelled A – U, V, Y they seem to be play on words MISSING

Four versions of text – possibly translations texts, or creative writing, or notes, Labelled A – U, V, Y they…


TM/9/8/07/1-Version of text on large sheets of paper – 4 double sheet and one single

Version of text on large sheets of paper – 4 double sheet and one single


TM/9/8/07/2-Neat version on foolscap paper

Neat version on foolscap paper. Handwritten, 3 pieces, 12 sides


TM/9/8/07/3-Partial version, handwritten, 1 piece, 4 sides

Partial version, handwritten, 1 piece, 4 sides


TM/9/8/07/4-Partial version made into small booklet

Partial version made into small booklet . Handwritten, 8 written sides with blank cover. Fragile


TM/9/8/08-“Extract of a Narrative affecting the Death of Mr Thomas Manning, Norfolk”

“Extract of a Narrative affecting the Death of Mr Thomas Manning, Norfolk”. Fictional account of Manning’s death as a youth….


TM/9/8/10-16 Epigrams on the state of the “Bogs” (toilets) at Caius, Cambridge

16 Epigrams on the state of the “Bogs” (toilets) at Caius, Cambridge. Undated [1799] Handwritten, 5 pieces, 5 sides


TM/9/8/14-Draft of poem beginning “Go lovely Flower, that with thy sister flowers”

Draft of poem beginning “Go lovely Flower, that with thy sister flowers”. Unrhymed verse. “To Mrs B., greeting from her…


TM/9/8/15-Draft of poem “address to the […der] Pereira asking for the vessel to safely transport a “Jewel of too rich a sort/to linger here unknown”

Draft of poem “address to the […der] Pereira asking for the vessel to safely transport a “Jewel of too rich…


TM/9/8/16-Neat version of a poem “After the Stone was Laid”

Neat version of a poem “After the Stone was Laid” concerning the blessing of a foundation stone. Mentions Queen Victoria…


TM/9/8/17-Drafts of poems “Old friend winter”, Here comes mild May”,

Drafts of poems “Old friend winter”, Here comes mild May”, and “I’m on tenters and hooks for the Packet of…


TM/9/8/18-Draft of a poem to Miss Hoare

Draft of a poem to Miss Hoare by “ignote” (unknown) Handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side


TM/9/8/19-“Ulysses and the Syren By S. Daniel born in 1579”

“Ulysses and the Syren By S. Daniel born in 1579” Copy of poem/script of Ulysses and the Syren. Handwritten, 1…


TM/9/8/20-“To Sir Robert Smyth”, “What is Love?” “Copy of verses by Thos

“To Sir Robert Smyth”, “What is Love?” “Copy of verses by Thos. Paine for Mr Manning”. Handwritten copy of Thomas…


TM/9/8/21-“On a Kiss”

“On a Kiss”. Newspaper Cutting of the poem. Printed material, 1 piece, 1 side


TM/9/8/22-“From the Irish of “Vurneen Declish Val Ma Chree”

“From the Irish of “Vurneen Declish Val Ma Chree”. A literal translation of the poem by Amintor. Newspaper Cutting, 1…


TM/9/8/23-Sentences which explore the different uses of words such as contrary, about, according to, above, at, before

Sentences which explore the different uses of words such as contrary, about, according to, above, at, before. Handwritten, 2 pieces,…


TM/9/8/24-Draft of the poem “Green was the growth of the Heidelberg Tunnel”

Draft of the poem “Green was the growth of the Heidelberg Tunnel”. Handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side


TM/9/8/25-“Scraps of English with a Literal Latin translation”, Manning has written English phrases and given them a Latin “translation” seemingly based on phonetics rather than accurate meaning

“Scraps of English with a Literal Latin translation”, Manning has written English phrases and given them a Latin “translation” seemingly…


TM/9/8/26-Draft of a poem or just lines ending in rhyme beginning “(When I) I was the [ ] (opening ) morn”

Draft of a poem or just lines ending in rhyme beginning “(When I) I was the [ ] (opening )…


TM/9/8/27-Draft of a poem beginning “Some have praised emmetts and some have praised bees/ & Lievenhook wrote a whole treatise on fleas”

Draft of a poem beginning “Some have praised emmetts and some have praised bees/ & Lievenhook wrote a whole treatise…


TM/9/8/28-Sheet of draft poems, possibly nonsense rhymes

Sheet of draft poems, possibly nonsense rhymes. Also some Latin script possibly connected to the printed header. Handwritten, 1 piece,…


TM/9/8/29-Drafts of verses

Drafts of verses. On reverse is printed frontispiece for “A Commentary on the Book of Job in which is inserted…


TM/9/8/30-Draft of a poem beginning “By lovely feature graceful form of mind”

Draft of a poem beginning “By lovely feature graceful form of mind”. Dated October 26. Handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side


TM/9/8/31-Draft of a poem beginning “There swiftly glide proud vessel to thy port”

Draft of a poem beginning “There swiftly glide proud vessel to thy port”. Second longer draft on the reverse. Handwritten,…


TM/9/8/32-Draft of a poem beginning “[Dreams] of Fr haunt my [Slumbers]”

Draft of a poem beginning “[Dreams] of Fr haunt my [Slumbers]” Handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side


TM/9/8/33-Draft of a poem beginning “The stream that’s shivered by this evening breeze”

Draft of a poem beginning “The stream that’s shivered by this evening breeze”. Handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side


TM/9/8/34-Draft of a poem beginning “When hard indifference meets my [Eye]”

Draft of a poem beginning “When hard indifference meets my [Eye]” Handwritten, 1 piece,1 side


TM/9/8/35-“Curious billet” label given to a verse in French

“Curious billet” label given to a verse in French. Handwritten, 1 piece, 2 sides


TM/9/8/36-Numbered draft verses/sayings

Sheets of numbered draft verses/sayings. Handwritten, 3 pieces, 3 sides


TM/9/8/37-Draft of a poem beginning “[Let] him learn – [prinpolarsion pass]

Draft of a poem beginning “[Let] him learn – [prinpolarsion pass]. Handwritten I piece, 1 side


TM/9/8/38-Draft of a poem beginning “Quito sigmarila voluto studiare L’Italiano comme”

Draft of a poem beginning “Quito sigmarila voluto studiare L’Italiano comme” Handwritten in Italian, 1 piece, 1 side


TM/9/8/39-“Ranz des Vaches” A poem/song written in French about friends and family

“Ranz des Vaches” A poem/song written in French about friends and family. Ranz des Vaches was a folk tune for…