11. Kural. Part I. 12. Naladiyar. Part I. Scriptures and Tracts should also be included. Of the latter, the "Blind Way" is especially recommended to be read, on account of the poetical quotations, and the Hindu religious technical terms with which it abounds. The Rev. P. Percival, when questioned by the compiler as to the best specimens of Tamil prose, gave the first place to the Uttara Ramayana Charitram. Next to it, he ranked Beschi's Instructions to Catechists and the Panchatantra. It will be observed that Dr. Caldwell has entered in his list two or three of the best poems, or at least portions of them. Beschi gave the following advice to his brethren with respect to such works :— "That the study will be one of considerable difficulty I do not pretend to deny ; but the labour will not want its reward. Among the natives themselves very few can now be found, who are masters of the higher dialect. He among them who is acquainted even with its rudiments, is regarded with respect; but should he quote their abstruse works he is listened to with fixed admiration; what praise, then, would they not bestow on a foreigner, whom they should find deeply versed in a science which they themselves consider scarcely attainable? They will readlly attend to the teaching of one whose learning is the object of their admiration. And as this may evidently lead to the honor of religion, and promote the salvation of those around us, I am satisfied that this consideration alone operating on zeal like yours, will suffice to excite you to the study of this dialect, notwithstanding the difficulties that attend it. "But since almost all the Tamil works in this dialect are in verse, I trust you will not deem it improper, if I venture to draw your attention to heathen poets, and to the study of poetry. In former times, St. Jerome was severely censured for having by the introduction of examples from the poets, sullied the purity of the church with the pollution of the heathen. St. Jerome in his learned reply, demonstrates, that the Apostle Paul repeatedly cites from the poets in his Epistles, and that the most exemplary among the Fathers not only made frequent use of illustrations from the writings of laymen, but that, even by their own poetry, they, far from polluting, embellished the church. These remarks apply with particular force in this country, the natives of which are swayed not so much by reason as by authority; and what have we from their own authors to adduce in aid of truth, except the verses of their poets? For since all their writings are in verse, they have reduced to metre their rules of art, and even the rudiments of their language; whence, they naturally suppose, that he who does not understand their poetry, is totally ignorant. Moreover, there are excellent works in Tamil poetry, on the subject of the divine attributes and the nature of virtue; and if by producing texts from them, we turn their own weapons against themselves, they will blush not to conform to the precepts of teachers in whom they cannot glory without condemning themselves. If we duly consider what has been said, we shall be satisfied that, in this country especially, it is highly proper in a minister of the gospel to read the poets, and to apply himself to the study of poetry." Dr. G. U. Pope's Anthology may be turned to excellent account by a Missionary. Being classified, appropriate quotations on the subjects included may easily be selected. Proverbs may often be used by Missionaries with admirable effect. Aptly introduced, they will arrest the attention and secure the good humour of a native audience. In 1843, a collection of 1873 Proverbs in Tamil, with their translation in English by the Rev. P. Percival, was published by the Jaffna Book Society, (12mo. 266 pp.) This useful work is now out of print; but Palamoli Tiraddu, noticed at page 165 of the Catalogue, will serve, in some measure, as a substitute. SELECT TAMIL LIBRARY. Every year at least a few new books are published. Information respecting those issued by Religious Societies and Government can be obtained by examining the following Catalogues Madras Religious Tract Society. Do. Christian Knowledge Society. Christian Vernacular Education Society. Catalogue of Government Book Depot, Madras. Madras School Book Society. Tranquebar Mission Press. Palamcottah Mission Press. Most of the Catalogues can easily be obtained by giving the address and enclosing an anna for postage. Books published by natives are sold in the Madras Book Bazar, and to some extent, in every town of any size in the Tamil country. Missionaries at rural stations can obtain copies through friends in Madras. The more expensive books are not kept on sale at the Bazar; but the hawkers can readily procure them. A good Tamil book-shop is a want. There are a few small shops where publishers sell their own books; but none where any large collections are kept. The following are some of the principal of this class : மணலி பெரியதம்பிமுதலியார் -73 கோவிந்தப்பநாய்க் கன்தெரு-பெத்துநாய்க்கன்பேட்டை. சிந்தாத்திரிப்பேட்டை, நாராயணசாமி முதலியார். சூளை லங்கர் பாப்பையர் சாலை, மதுரை முதலியார். மேற்படி பு.சபாபதிமுதலியார். ஞானவுணர்த்துதல்,கிறிஸ்துநாதர் அனுசாரம். ஞானமுயற்சி, தெய்வப்பரிட்சை, and சத்தியவேதப்பரி A list of Books suggested for a Missionary's Tamil Library is given below. Many others will be useful for certain objects; but those named are specially recommended for his own study, or for reference as other duties may permit. Some useful tracts for circulation are also mentioned. Protestant Books and Tracts. The Bazar Book, Test of Religions, Three WayMarks, Sastirakummi, Commentary on Gospels and Acts, Christian Minister, Christian Lyrics. The following are some of the most popular tracts for Hindus, issued by the Madras Tract Society: No. 40 The Blind Way. 36. The Hindu Triad. 63. Essence of Wisdom. 77, Jewel Mine of Salvation. 91. Test of Hinduism. The following are good simple tracts: No. 13. The Doctrine of the Soul. 11. Justice and Mercy Displayed. Among the Tracts published by the South Travancore Tract Society may be mentioned: 17. Choose the Best. 3. Spiritual Teaching. 4. The Good Way. 24. Destruction of Superstition. 27. Educate your Children. There are several good handbills published by the same Society. A list of the prices of the Tracts may be obtained on application to the Missionary in charge of the Press at Nagercoil. The Jaffna Tract Society has issued a large number of Tracts; but many of them are now out of print. The following are a few which have been specially recommended: 24. Good Counsel. 28. The Accepted Time. 36. Good Opportunity. 40. The Spiritual Touchstone. 56. Heathen Festivals. 71. Evidences from Hinduism. 73, 74. Mother's Manual. 84. SelfExamination. 87. Natural and Revealed Law. Roman Catholic Books. Beschi's work for Catechists has already been noticed. The following are others which a Missionary may read with advantage. The Tamil is, in general, very good, and some valuable illustrations may be collected from them : ஞானவுணர்த்துதல், கிறிஸ்துநாதர் அநுசாரம், ஞான முயற்சி, தெய்வப்பரிட்சை, and சத்தியவேதப்பரிட்சை. Native Books. Hinduism.-Arunasala Puranam, Attisudi Puranam, Periya Puranam Vasanam, Saiva Samaya Vilakka Vina Vidai, Tevara Patikam, Tiruvasakam, Viruttasala Puranam, Kanta Purana Sarukkam; Nalayira Pirapantam, Tatvatroyam; Avirotavuntiyar, Gnana Vasiddam, Kaivallayanavanitam, Paddanattupillai Padal, Pakavat Kitai, Pattirakiriyar Palampal, Pirapota Santirotayam, Tayumavar. Padal, Vetanta Saram, all the Sattar poets, Irusamaya Vilakkam; Almanac, Pansa Padsi Sastiram. Ethics.-Tamil Minor Poets, Kural, Naladiyar, Palamoli Tiraddu, Pope's Anthology. Medicine.-Akastiyar Vayittiya Rattina Surukkam, Waring's Bazar Medicines. Poetry.-Arissantira Puranam, Makaparatam, Nala Venpa, Naidatam, Ramayana, Tanipadal Tiraddu. Tales.-Katamansari, Katasintamana, Panchatantra, Pope's Prose Reading Book, Ramayana Uttara Kandam, Vinotarasamansari. Dictionaries and Grammars have been previously described. NEW TAMIL PUBLICATIONS WANTED. One great object of this publication is to aid in showing which books are most wanted in the Tamil language. The Catalogue will afford some assistance in the preliminary inquiry, what books already exist? As the whole subject has necessarily come under the review of the compiler, he may be allowed to offer a few suggestions. BOOKS FOR CHRISTIANS. These be noticed under two heads--reprints and new publications. Reprints.-There are a few valuable works of which the editions are now exhausted. Among them may be specially mentioned the following: |