From Joseph Thompson to JHN [1/118/1 on paper headed "The Owens College, Manchester"]. Topics covered include: books and papers relating to the "workings men's classes", which JHN had sent to Thompson [JHN had been the first secretary of the Manchester Working Men's College from 1858-1860, which later became part of the Owens College]; an attempt to catalogue the portraits and busts held by Owens College; a long and passionate attack upon an article that had appeared in the Manchester City News and seems to have suggested that Thompson, not being a Manchester rate payer, was disqualified from acting as an Alderman for the Manchester ward of Ardwick. [JHN/2/8 seems to be a draft copy of JHN's reply to this letter; see also JHN/4/2 upon this controversy].
Dated at: Manchester and Wilmslow [Cheshire].