Folio 1: manuscript, c. 1828 (watermark), "Byron and Marceau", relating to Lord Byron's interest in the French general François Séverin Marceau-Desgraviers, about whom he composed a eulogy in "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" (Third Canto, LVI and LVII). Thackeray's manuscript includes a copy of a letter to, and a copy of a letter from Byron concerning Marceau-Desgraviers. The first, dated 30 January 1823, is from Madame Serjent, Marceau-Desgravier's elder sister, to Lord Byron thanking him for honouring her brother in verse, and forwarding a small volume of historical notices connected with the death and character of the general, compiled by her husband. The second, dated 5 May 1823, is Lord Byron's reply to Madame Serjent.

Folio 2: manuscript, c. 1850 (watermark), containing two rhymes composed and illustrated by Thackeray;

Folio 2 verso has an annotation in pencil: "Drawn by Thackeray when he came to dine one day in Albemarle St with John Murray II [=III]".