He included punctuations and certain markings to separate the combined words.¹⁰⁵ An example of those new introductions - the following forms of a single verse can be cited.

The traditional method of writing the poem was:

பொன்னைமா தரைப்பூமியைநாடிடேன்
என்னை நாடியஎன்னுயிர்நாதனே
உன்னை நாடுவனுன்னருட்டூவெளி
தன்னைநாடுவன் தன்னந்தனியனே.

Pope’s method of writing the same poem was:

பொன்னை மாதரைப் பூமியை நாடி’டேன்;
என்னை நாடிய என்னுயிர் நாதனே !
உன்னை நாடுவன், உன்னரு ட்’டூவெளி
தன்னை நாடுவன், தன்னந் தனியனே.

These new methods made the study and appreciation of Tamil verse easier.

Words in the selections were alphabetically listed with meanings in Tamil and English. This was a novel introduction in anthology.

Certain explanations given by Pope are note - worthy. For instance aḵkal = curuṅkal, nuṭpamātal. “Knowledge both minute and extensive.”¹⁰⁶

Introductions of this kind in anthology have been followed right upto the modern day. Selections from various authors covering many different topics are included in one work for students at the University. I need not mention that we are indebted to Dr. Pope for it.

105. Ibid. General note given at the beginning.

106. Ibid. V. 182.