2840.] 



Life and Writings of Father BescM, 



265 



was sent to the southern country by Mr. Ellis, with particular direction 

 to find out the work. 



21. A Latin translation of the two first parts (Arappal and Porut- 

 pal) of the Tiruvalluver Cural. 



I am enabled to supply some information regarding this work. In 

 3816 I was sent by the late Mr. Ellis, and Mr. A. D. Campbell, to the 

 south, to procure useful works for the College. In my search for 

 books of that description, I found amongst several works of merit a 

 Latin translation of the Cural, which I forwarded along with other 

 manuscripts to Mr. Ellis. I beg to add an extract from that gentle- 

 man's reply to a letter, which on that occasion I had the honour of ad- 

 dressing him, regarding the translation of the Cural. 



" The books have arrived safe and I commend your diligence in 

 collecting them. Viramamuni's commentary on the Tiruvalluver 

 Cural is exceedingly valuable, and you must use all your diligence in 

 compleiing the copy and in endeavouring to bring the original with 

 you to Madras, so that I may be able to compare them and to complete 

 the correction of the copy. Should it be necessary for you to remain 

 longer to the southward on this account, do so, as it is of great conse- 

 quence that an entire copy of this excellent work should be procured 

 for the College. 



" Be diligent in enquiring after another work of Viramamuni and for 

 any other books that may be of use to the College. 



(Signed) Yours F. W. Ellis.»' 



«' Madras, 27th September 1816." 



I further beg to add some particulars which I learned from the 

 sons* of Beschi's catechist, regarding the original copy of the Latin 

 translation of the Cural. There were two original copies of that 

 work — one without, another with the Tamil text of Tiruvalluver. It was 

 not known who wrote the former, but it was supposed to have been writ- 

 ten by Beschi, and it is well known to the sons of Beschi's catechist, that 

 the latter was written by the Reverend Father Julius Caesar Potensa, 

 the immediate successor of Beschi, under whom the said persons were 

 disciples at the church situated in Porthacoody, in the district of 

 Trichinopoly, and they were present when the said work was exe- 

 cuted by Father Potensa. The said persons also gave me a small book 

 which is with me still, written by Father Potensa. On my comparing 



• Dayiriyam Pillei and Amivda Pillei, who were the sons of Chowrimootoo Pillei, 

 Beschi's catcjchist, and who gave me much information respecting the life of Beschi, as 

 well as his valuable works, and whom I met at Cariyam i*utti, » village wbich iS abgut 

 midway betweeu Tanjore aud Trichiaopoly, 



