The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-08-23
About Finger Rings.

The ring has for many ages formed a
part of ecclesiastical insignia. 1t APP
pears to have had a two-fOld purpose
and signiticatiOn-the one as a mark OF
dignity and authority, and the other
symbolic of the mystical union between
the priesthood and the church. PrOmi-
nent among these ecclesiastical rings
are those worn by the Pope and Bishops
in variety of shapes and ornamental
tionA The Pope uses a ring for the pur-
pose Of alliXing his signature to any
documents. The usual types of Ponti-
fical rings are massive hoops, with the
crossed keys engraved upon them. I'm
early times they were made of gilt
bronze and set with precious stones.
Great importance is attached to Epis-
cOpal rings, which form part of ec-
clesiastical investitude. They are gem
orally set with a sapphire or ruby,
but their shape varies considerably.
Rings as pledges are betrothal and
wedding rings are of very ancient orig
in. The Romans used iron as a mater
ial for their rings; this metal was
chosen as symbolic Of the lasting char
acter ofthe engagement.
The ring was not used among Chris
tians until the year 800. The plain
gold wedding rings which are the fash
ion among Anglo Saxon nation, came
to us from the SaxOns. A curious va
riety Of the old wedding rimgis the jim
mel or gemmon ring, consisting of two
or more links, some plain, others elab-
orately ornamented and engraved with
sacred inscriptions. Most curious in
shape are the large and elabOrately or
namented betrOthal and marriage rings
in use among the Jews. The summit
of hoops is generally surmounted by a
small temple or pyramid shaped tower
opening upon hinge and representing
the ark of the covenant. They are
made for the use Of the synagogue, and
are placed on the fingers of the couple
at certain part Of the marriage rites.
Many romantic tales are connected
with ring tokens. For Englishmen one
of the most interesting ring tokens is
that which Queen Elizabeth is said to
have given to the Earl of Essex Gin
token of esteem," with the intimatiOn
that if he ever forfeited her favor and it
should be sent back to her, the sight of
it would insure his forgiveness.
Regard rings are of French origin.
On them words are inscribed by means
of the initials Of the precious stones
with which they are set.
The Prince of Wales on his marriage
to the Princess Alexandra gave her as a
keeper ring set with beryl, emerald,
ruby, turquoise, iacinth and emerald
again, spelling thus his familiar name,
BERTHE.
OF remarkable rings there are several
worthy of description. The gold signet
ring of Mary Queen of Scots is one of
them, and is described as being on the
face with the motto, sin defens," and
her initials, NJ, r. In the inner side of
the seal, crowned monogram is en-
graved, formed of the letters NJ. and A.
(for Mary and Albany, referring to the
title of Lord Darnley as Duke Of AL
bany.
The ring of Henry, Lord Darnley, is
also preserved in the South Kensington
Museum. 1t bears the two initials, NJ.
and H., united by lovers knot. In
the hoop is the name engraved, "Henri
L. Darnley," and the year of the mar
riagecl565.
Shakespeare's signet ring is of tolera-
bly, large size, and evidently gentle
mans ring of Elizabeth's time. No
positive proof can be adduced as to the
authenticity of the ring having belong
ed to Shakespeare, yet it is accepted as
such, having been found in 1910 by a
laborer's wife upon the surface near
the mill adjoining Stratford church
yard. This ring is now in the Shakes
peare Museum in the town.