Peter Percival

“ These facts are sufficient to show that public instruction is to be largely provided for, and that the vernacular languages will be made the vehicles of useful knowledge to the masses of the population. That the native mind is in any degree aroused by the facts occurring around us is matter of thankfulness. ”

“ Jivaka is the successful party among many competitors and receives in marriage the fair damsel. The assassin and late minister of Jivaka's father, who then reigned over the kingdom he had so unfairly obtained, hearing of the fame of the young man, suspects that he may prove to be the son of the deceased king. He therefore determines to seize him and put him to death ; and for this purpose proceeds to take him by violence. Jivaka meets him, slays him, and ascends the throne of his ancestors. There are 358 stanzas in this section. ”

“ Whilst the attention of Europeans is drawn to the ancient authors of the Dravidian race, and thereby much that is truly interesting and valuable disseminated in Europe, it must not be overlooked that in the country itself it is of the utmost consequence to the progress of sound scholarship and correct taste that the best authors be brought to light, and if possible, published, under proper editorial supervision and responsibility. ”

“ And I do not entertain a doubt that, unless Government adopt measures to counteract certain tendencies in the native mind, the machinery it is now forming with so much zeal, ability and expense, will be in great measure inoperative. The native, arguing on palpable facts, maintains that it is not vernacular attainment that confers office and emolument, but a knowledge of English ”

“ In consequence of this deed of valour, a citizen named Pasukavalam was induced to give his daughter Kovindeyar in marriage to the son of the Chitty the foster father of Jivaka. This section contains 84 stanzas.
3. The third section is named Kandarvatatteyar Ilambakam so called from the celebrated musician of the name of Tatteyar whose skill on the Indian lute or vina was almost unrivalled. She formed a revolution not to marry any one who did not surpass her in her favorite art. ”

“ These auspicious prospects are, however, I regret to say, not unattended by much of a discouraging character; the native himself is likely to prove the greatest obstacle in the way of progress as regards vernacular instruction. ”

“ III. The Tamil Epic Chintamani. By the Rev. P. Percival.
When the despatch of the Honorable the Court of Directors on their scheme of education was promulgated a year and a half ago, through the vernacular periodical press, its provisions were looked upon by intelligent natives, generally, as a beautiful theory never to be followed by any practical result. ”

“ The idea has not been abandoned; but such would be the weight of the undertaking to a single individual, it can hardly be expected that any one will be bold enough to enter upon it. No doubt a considerable number of copies might be sold among the natives perhaps 500, and in time, it is possible, the publisher might recover the capital expended on the work. ”

“ The history of these events contained in this section occupies 358 stanzas.
4. Gundmaleyar Ilambakam is the name of the fourth section which contains 315 stanzas. This section presents to the reader two young women of high family named respectively Gunamalei and Churamanjari who contended for superiority in regard to certain scented powders they possessed. These perfumes were so apparently identic in equality that it was impossible for ordinary persons to determine which was the better. Jivaka decides the matter in favor of Kunamalei : she accepts him in marriage. ”