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duties with great credit and ability, at a time when Munsiffs of the present type we re rare. He was distinguished also for his independence; he once declined to put up with the treatment accorded to him by a judge, who was then well know for his idio syncrasies, and who is now practising in the Madras Bar. But in Mr. Vedanayagam Pillai's case it was not his official life that contributed to raise him in the estimation of his countrymen. He was an erudite scholar of Tamil and devoted his lifetime to the embellishment of Tamil literature. He was a Tamil Novelist and Tamil Poet. His prose ard poetical works are read with great avidity by the Tamil knowing population. The great merit of his works was the purity of expression, and the moral precepts of which they are so full. His ambition was to create a good Tamil literature so as to suit the modern taste of his countrymen, in which he attained eminent success. He interested himself very much in the successful administration of the local Municipality, over the council of which he presided for several years. The following are some of his well-known productions: Penmathimalai, Neethinoolthiratu, Prathaba Mudaliar Charitram, and Suguna Sundari. In his death, the Native community have lost a worthy citizen, a talented Tamil Writer, in short, one whose literary attainments and
whose earnest longing to improve the social and intellectual condition of his fellow countrymen have work for him their everlasting gratitude. The present generation of youngmen would find in his life much to admire and imitate. The news will cause great sorrow to all those that are acquainted with him of his writings.
