into six periods, namely,—the academic (B.C. 500—A. D. 150); the classic (A. D. 150—500); the hymnal (A. D. 500—950); the translations (A.D. 950—1200); the exegetic (A. 1). 1200—1450) and the modern or miscellaneous (A. D. 1450—1850). Original works in Tamil are not very many and they can be counted on one's finger's ends. The bulk of its literature comprises metrical translations from Sanskrit itihasas and puranas. Short ethical poems, like Eladi and Tirikadukam, intended for school children, and the huge mass of religious hymns and songs of the Saiva and Vaishnava devotees are honourable exceptions. There was no prose literature before the last century, if the prose commentaries on ancient authors be excepted.
Alone among the Dravidian languages Tamil possesses a literature, ancient as well as interesting. Every Tamilian must esteem it a grand and noble heritage, which he can call his own only by approaching the study of it in a scientific spirit. Let us all join hands lovingly in the sacred task of reconstructing the best history of this people and their language, and tracing the continuity of their development. And in this le! us follow the examples of Dr. Latham, Pro, Skeat and others, whose work for their English language and literature stands unrivalled.
