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form so striking a feature in the famous Indian epics. The mind of the reader is directed here, throughout, to 'things that are true, honest, pure, lovely, and of good report'. Attention is also directed to the fact that the author has sought to avoid ambiguity both in style and language. Whereas many Hindu poets labour to obscure their real meaning in difficult and ambiguous stanzas, our author, on the contrary, has stated his intention most clearly in the preface and has written in a style which, while it is distinetly good and classical, will yet be easily intelligible to those who have anything like a fair knowledge of the Tamil language. It ought to be added that the present work differs from the standard Tamil classical poems in the free use it makes of Sanskrit words. The traditional usage of Tamil poetry is to avoid an admixture of foreign words; but, in these days, Sanskrit has so completely permeated the Tamil language and its rich and mellifluous words are in such repute that our author has felt fully justified in adopting an independent course in the matter.
3. Features deserving special notice. - Though adopting the main framework of the Pilgrim's Progress, it will be found that the poem before us is original in many particulars. Every opportunity has been seized, consistently with the continuity of the story, for the introduction of fine passages which clearly enunciate the distinctive truths of the Gospel, as contrasted with the tenets of Hinduism. The existence of a future state, - the true doctrine as to heaven and hell, - the teaching of the Bible as to sin and righteousness, - the consequences attending merit and demerit both in this world and the next, - the Gospel plan whereby Divine justice and mercy meet together in perfect harmony, - the advantages of connexion with the Church of Christ and the bright realty of the 'communion of saints', - the spiritual exercises of Christianity in contrast with the ceremonial observances of Hindusim, - 'the means of race afforded us here and the hope of glory hereafter', - all these themes and topics are finely treated by the author. Quite a number of model sermonettes and exhortations are interspersed throughout the poem. It should be specially noticed also that those attributes which are so highly extolled by the Tamil moral poets (e.g. patience) are here held up to view, so to speak, in the light of the Gospel and transfigured by the glory which falls on them from the face of Jesus Christ. The careful reader will hardly fail to recognise, also a wealth of illustration and quotation taken both from the inspired pages of Holy Scripture and also from standard Tamil works.
The thanks of all who love the Tamil language, and especially of those who wish to see a vernacular Christian literature worthy of the name, are due to Dr. Murdoch and the Christian Literature Society for their kindness in publishing the book before us. They have never yet published a Tamil book more deserving of patronage and support. I