This series contains correspondence between Thomas Manning and his early friends, some of which were lifelong friendships. There are 12 letters from Robert Lloyd (brother of Charles Lloyd, poet); nine copies of letters from Thomas Manning to Charles Lamb, plus two copies of notes and a copy of a letter from Charles Lamb with a further original draft letter from Manning to Lamb

There are 8 letters between Manning and George Leman Tuthill with further later correspondence between Manning and Tuthill's daughter, Laura. There are also 4 letters from W. Baines to Thomas Manning.

The majority of these are later copies of letters written by Thomas Manning to Charles Lamb. The originals are part of the W. Hugh Peal Collection, University of Kentucky

There is one original draft letter from Thomas Manning.

Copy of a letter from Thomas Manning to Charles Lamb from Cambridge. He apologises for his slowness in answering Lamb's letter - he is taken up with preparing a pupil for examination. He hopes to spend time with him in Town in about 5 weeks. He then adds some critique on the title of Lamb's "Tragedy". The Postscript writes that he has added a page of drawings and queer beasts but no record of these is with the copy. Dated 15 December [1799], postmarked 18 December, 1799. The copy is handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side

Copy of a letter from Thomas Manning to Charles Lamb from Cambridge. Manning is writing to put forward his feelings concerning a matter between Ld (Lloyd) and a Lady concerning a letter Ld wrote to the Lady about her writing. Manning defends Lloyd. He also mentions that Southey is a friend of Lloyds. Dated 9 February 1800. Copy is handwritten, 3 pieces, 3 sides

Copy of a letter from Thomas Manning to Charles Lamb, India House, London. He pleads with Lamb to go to stay with him in Cambridge - the very thoughts "Of your coming makes my keg of rum wobble about like a porpoise & the Liquor (how fine it smells) goes Gultch squlluck against the sides for joy - just (if I may compare great things with small - my rum puncheon with old Zacharia's haus in kelter) as St John wobbled in Elizabeth's womb when Mary, big with Xt by the Holy Ghost, walked into Cousin Betty's parlour". Manning asks to be added to Dyer's list of subscribers. Dated in different hand, 10 August, 1800. Copy is 2 pieces, 2 sides

Letter from "Amicus" to Thomas Manning concerning his recently published Algebraic Treatise in which he corrects some of Manning's publication. "An Introduction to Arithmetic and Algebra" by Thomas Manning was published by Rivingtons in 1796. Dated 20 September [1796] Handwritten, 1 piece, 4 sides

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

Uncovered handmade notebook containing draft of a conversation with "James" about an extraordinary walk in Cambridge, possibly fiction. With small sketch. Dated "1801, I think". Handwritten, 1 piece, 8 sides

Drafts of speeches read out at Cambridge concerning the merits of two princes. One claims it was read in contradiction to the College regulations which commanded it to be recited by heart. The second and third are redrafts of the recited version with some "obnoxious passages" left out. Handwritten, 2 pieces, 8 sides; 1 piece,3 sides; 1 piece, 3 sides

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