finished the translations of the “Naladiyar”. In rapid succession came “Tiruvacagam” (in 1900) and ‘Maṇimekalai’. The latter however was incomplete and it was only after his death that this appeared.

The Royal Asiatic Society recognizing his merits and the valuable contributions he had made to the understanding and learning of Tamil literature, gave him in 1906 its Gold Medal. Two years passed and in 1908, Dr. Pope breathed his last on the 11th of February. He was buried in England and he wished that his Epitaph should include the phrase “தமிழ் மாணவன்” (Tamil Māṇavaṉ).

While at Ooty, Dr. Pope studied the Toda language and wrote an outstanding book on its grammar.

This great scholar-cum-missionary has been aptly praised in a beautiful Tamil poem by a Frenchman Julian Vinson.²⁹

19. REV. CHARLES THEOPHILUS EWALD RHENIUS

The Rev. James Hough M.A. was an indefatigable worker of the Tirunelveli Mission. He was one of those who combined with the official duties of a Chaplain, a voluntary devotion to the duties of a Missionary. After a strenuous career, his health gave way and he asked for a European Missionary as an assistant. Rev. Charles Theophilus Ewald Rhenius was sent to assist Mr. Hough.

Rhenius and Rev. Bernard Schmid were previously stationed at Madras and were attached to the Church Missionary Society. Rhenius had worked for six years here. Some sort of a misunderstanding existed between Rhenius, Schmid and the ‘Corresponding Committee’. As a result of this, Rhenius was sent to Palamcotta and Schmid soon followed. The former arrived in Palamcotta, on the 7th of July, 1820 and Schmid on the 20th October 1820. Rev. Hough was very pleased with Rhenius’ appointment.

29. Sethu Pillai, R. P., Kṟittavat Tamil-t-toṇṭarkal, P. 18.