_The Tamul Proper._--The language of the Coromandel coast and the parts of the interior as far as Coimbatore. Each of these tongues has a double form, one for literature, and one for common use; the former being called the High, the latter the Low, Tamul or Telugu, as the case may be, and the creed which it embodies being either Brahminism, or some modification of it. In Travancore and on the Malabar coast the language is-- _The Malayalma_ or _Malayalam_--and in the greater part of Mysore-- _The Kanara_--which, like the Tamul and Telinga, is both High and Low--literary or vulgar. Amongst these four well-known forms of the South Tamulian tongue, may be distributed several dialects and sub-dialects. Such as the Tulava for the parts between Goa and Mangalore, and the Coorgi of the Rajahship of Coorg, not to mention the several varieties in the language of the hill-tribes. Now all the populations of the present chapter agree in this particular--their language is generally admitted to be Tamulian at the present moment, or if not, to have been so at some earlier period. With the languages next under notice, the original Tamulian character is not so admitted--indeed, it is so far denied as to make the affirmation of it partake of the nature of paradox. The distinction then is raised on the existence of the doubt in question, or rather on the differences that such a doubt implies. Hence the division of the languages of India into the Hindú and the Tamulian is practical rather than scientific--the _Hindú_ meaning those for which a _Sanskrit_, rather than a _Tamul_ affinity is claimed. _Sanskrit_ is the name of a language; a name upon which nine-tenths of the controversial points in Indian ethnology and in Indian history turn. FOOTNOTES: [22] "Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal," vol. viii. [23] "Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Bengal," vol. vi. part 2. See also pp. 112, 113 of the present volume. [24] Described by Lieutenants Phayre and Latter in "Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal." [25] Dr. Helfer, "Asiatic Society of Bengal," vol. viii. [26] "Asiatic Researches," vol. v. [27] Dr. Buchanan, "Asiatic Researches," vol. v. [28] Macrae in "Asiatic Researches," vol. vii. [29] Eliot, in "Asiatic Transactions," vol. iii. [30] Eliot, _ut supra_. [31] For Jan. 1849. [32] "Transactions of the British Association for the Advancement of Science," 1844. [33] "Statistical Sketch of Kumaon," by G. W. Traill, Asiatic Researches, vol. xvi. [34] From the Greek _polys_=_many_, and _anær_=_man_. [35] Eliot in "Asiatic Researches," vol. iv. [36] Captain S. C. Macpherson, "Journal of the Asiatic Society," vol. xiii. [37] See Lieut. Newbold, "Journal of the Asiatic Society," vol. viii. [38] Lieut. C. P. Rigby, in "Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society," May to August 1850. [39] The Soars of Orissa. [40] Col. Todd, "Travels in Western India." CHAPTER IV.