"Mr. Kesava Pillai is an accomplished product of that system of Vernacular education in Travan- core which manifests the practical wisdom and the love of Malayalam of its enlightened sovereigns. To the public of Malabar he requires no introduct- ion at my hands. As a Sanskrit Scholar, a poet and a graceful writer of Malayalam prose, he has already made his mark in the literary history of his country. And his Bhasha Narayaniyam will serve as a memorial to his worth and work, more forcible, more durable than any storied urn or animated bust. Such a man who has besides been teacher for more than a decade is, it will be readily granted, eminently fitted to write a moral text book like Subhashitharathnakaram.
"This book is divided into two parts: one is suited to the students of lower forms, while the other is intended for the use of those of higher classes. 108 topics are treated of in 706 Slokams. The appendix also contains much useful information. To enhance the value of the book, the Slokams are intelligently annotated, and an exhaustive index is given. In the preparation of this book, Mr. Kesava Pillai has laid under contribution many important work in Sanskrit and sevaral familiar quotations in English.
"In fact this 'sea of nice saying' is a veritable sea of aphoristic gems. It glorifies God and his wondrous ways; it treats of female education, chastity, sanitation, exercise, obedience to one's parents and teachers and a willing recognition of constituted authority! it touches the great and eternal common places of human occasion, such as gratitude, kindness, riches, poverty and death; it warns us against cruelty animals, envy, covetousness and 'all those darling vices of fallen men.' "It concerns life, society, human nature, our aims our ideals and all besides that is most animated and
