had set an example many years before in poems which were then highly esteemed. Beschi’s superior talent has, however, driven his precursor out of the field.”³ It has to be reluctantly noted that none of Rober-de-Nobili’s poems were available to me.

Ziegenbalg translated German hymns into Tamil. This was the first hymn book printed in Tamil. It had a collection of 48 hymns and was printed in 1713.

Ellis is renowned for his five poems written in Koccaka Kalippā Metre. This was first printed by Appavu Pillai for which A. Muthuswamy Pillai wrote a commentry.

Hymns in Tamil following the English metre were written by C. T. E. Rhenius.

Dr. Caldwell and Rev. Father Beschi wrote “Christian Lyrics” which are found in Rev. E. Webb’s “Christian Lyrics for public and social workshipÓ. Rev. E. Webb’s lyrics are also included. The 8th edition (1883)of this work printed by Rev. G. T. Washburn was the one which was available to me. This work was popular and the numerous editions sold fast. Washburn remarks that Webb introduced the songs of Vedanayaga Shastri in this work. The authors’ names are attached to their respective songs. Songs 58 and 212 were by Beschi and song 104 was by Dr. Caldwell and song 106 by Rev. E. Webb. A Veṇpa by Caldwell is included which I give below.

Songs in foreign tunes were introduced in Tamil.

Among foreign scholars, Beschi is the one who has left the boldest stamp on Tamil poetry. Caldwell writing about him, says “The post of honour,....... is to be assigned to two con-

3. Gover, Charles, E.; Folksongs of Southern India; P. 194