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 Cambridge. He thanks his father for the offer of sending a turkey (along with cartoon picture of it); he is going to dinner at Dr Davy; he is sorting his skates and asks about whether they are making mince pies. Handwritten, 2 sides. Dated "Cambridge Wednesday" and by another hand as December 1799 or December 1800
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
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Newport, Isle of Wight. He writes about surveying land in Hampshire with a friend who is looking to buy; of the journey and stay in the Isle of Wight; and journeying on to Fareham, near Portsmouth. Handwritten, 3 sides. headed Newport, Isle of Wight. Dated by another hand, 6 May 1801, Postmarked May 1801
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Cambridge. He writes about his tour after leaving the Isle of Wight, travelling through Hampshire, Dorsetshire and Devonshire, South Wales. He would not wish to live in Devonshire, "from the peculiar appearance of the trees there I guess that the air is more injurious to vegetation". He also writes about the hard work of the Welsh. Handwritten, 4 sides. Postmarked May 25, 1801
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from [Greek] Street, Soho. He writes to tell his father that his passport has to go in the dispatch box to the King; that it probably won't be looked at until Tuesday and may be he should have written to "George Rex" to tell him he was in a hurry. He will travel to France by the Diligence and will write from Calais unless he is asleep as he passes through. Handwritten, 2 sides. Postmarked 1801
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Dover and Boulogne. He writes about waiting for his crossing, visiting Dover Castle, his tedious company. From Boulogne he writes about sorting his baggage, one chap falling in the water; his quarters having a blazing wood fire over which he breakfasts. Handwritten, 4 sides. Dated Monday 4 January, 1802
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 apologises for not writing sooner and blames it on lack of time. He is rising late, "something or other breaks in on my mornings, & after dinner I have a necessity of seeing somebody to talk with or I should be melancholy". He has not yet met many people and wants to meet Mr LaGrange to see a demonstration of a Theorem which no-one as yet has given a genuine demonstration. He tries to avoid mixing with the other English apart from Tuthill but has met Lord Henry Petty (Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne KG, PC, FRS, 2 July 1780 – 31 January 1863), who also brought the Irish man Mr Parnell (Henry Brooke Parnell, 1st Baron Congleton PC, 3 July 1776 – 8 June 1842). He has only seen Bonaparte at a distance at the review of troops. He has met Tom Paine (Thomas Paine,1737-1809). He subscribes to the Lyceum where there is a library, conversation room and reading room where he can read all the French journals and reviews and some English, and attend lectures all for £4 subscription. He finishes by answering points from his father's letter and saying he will write to Edward. Handwritten, 4 sides. Postmarked 1802, dated 23rd Plavoise (French republican Calendar), 12 February, 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