The Tamil Epic Chinlamani. [no. 3, new series, 



do. not entertain a doubt that, unless Government adopt measures 

 to counteract certain tendencies in the native mind, the machinery 

 it is now forming with so much zeal, ability and expense, will be in 

 great measure inoperative. The native, arguing on palpable facts, 

 maintains that it is not vernacular attainment that confers office and 

 emolument, but a knowledge of English; and consistently enough 

 he is disposed to devote all his energies to the latter. The remedy 

 is, however, in the hands of Government. Let it be promulgated, 

 by Government that in all cases a candidate for public employment 

 from the peon upwards, must pass a graduated examination in order 

 to test his knowledge of his own language ; or present a certificate, 

 signed by competent authority, to show that the required standard 

 has been attained : this, and this only, will secure the efficiency of 

 the means adopted by Government, for promoting vernacular edu- 

 cation. 



It is in place here to refer to a valuable contribution to the study 

 of the vernacular languages of Southern India in the form of a. com- 

 parative Dravidian Grammar recently published in London by the 

 Eevd. Mr. Caldwell. The study of comparative Grammar as regards 

 the Indo-European family of languages has made great progress in 

 the west; and for some time past the Dravidian tongues have been 

 matter of enquiry and investigation among oriental scholars in Eng- 

 land and on the continent of Europe. One or two works have 

 issued from the press in Europe in Tamil executed in the most beau- 

 tiful style. All these facts conspire to persuade the inference that 

 an era is opening for the development of the treasures bequeath- 

 ed to the natives of Southern India by the talent and industry of 

 former ages. 



Under these circumstances it may be of some benefit to direct 

 attention to some of those ancient works which, in Southern India, 

 have, for so many centuries, been the admiration of indigenous 

 scholars ; and the patterns for guidance in the authorship of modern 

 times. By thus pioneering the way no doubt needs be entertained 

 as to the track being followed by a succession of adventurers who 

 will do good service. Whilst the attention of Europeans is drawn 

 to the ancient authors of the Dravidian race, and thereby much that 



