The place of Beschi’s death is rather uncertain and it is believed that he was buried at Manapar. During my visit to Manapar I was unable to detect his grave there. No epitaph or tomb-stone marks it and since the oldest church there lies buried in the sands, I wonder whether his grave also has been concealed by the sandiness.

I was fortunate enough to see some of the books that were used by Pope. The Tiruvācakam was the subject of a detailed study by him. In the copy he used, there is evidence that he read and re-read it. Red pencil and red ink marks abound. At certain places he has separated the combined words with vertical lines to enable easier reading. A question mark is found here and there.

At times missionaries were rather reluctant to permit us into their churches and archives. My religion-Hinduism-was the obstacle. My curiosity and honest intentions to probe into their treasure houses were mistrusted. But for the efforts of Dr. Rajamanickam and Fr.V.M Ganaprakasam to assail their doubts my errand would have proved futile.

Some works are not available in India but can be found in a few libraries of Ceylon. These works through the kind help of Mr. M. Ramalingam², who made copies of the important ones, became available to me.

Certain relevant books are still to be found in the Government Record Office at Egmore, Madras. This preserving library is not easily accessible. To pick from the varied list the relevant works was a stupendous task. Time has had its effect on these works and the pages crumble while perusing through. Beschi’s medical books, Fabricious’ Bible translations, history books, and school books in geography, science and many general works (on tailoring and agriculture) are available there. Dr. Caldwell’s work “Indian Antiquities”, written in Tamil³ was detected there. This

2. Vaddukkoddai, Ceylon.

3. Reprinted from “The Friendly Instructor”, First edition, 1893.