Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-11-14
sketches of Finger Ring Love-Historicai
Chances.

The ring has for many ages formed a
part of ecclesiastical insignia. 1t appears
to have had two fold purpose and sig
nfficance-the one as a mark Of dignity
and authority, and the other as symbolic
of the mystical union between the priest
hood and the church. Prominent among
these ecclesiastical rings are those worn
by the Pope and Bishops. in variety oil
shape and ornamentation. The Pope
uses a ring for the purpose of afilxing
his signature to any documents. The
usual types of Pontificial rings are
massive books, with the crossed keys
engraved on them. In early times they
were made of gilt bronze and set with
precious stones.
Great Importance is attached to Epis-
eopal rings, which forms a part OF
ecclesiastical investitnre. They are
generally set with a sapphire or ruby,
but their shape varies considerably.
Rings, as pledges of betrothal and
wedding gifts, are of very ancient
origin. The Romans used iron as a
mate rial for their rings; this metal was
chosen as symbolic of the lasting char
acter of the engagements.
The ring was not used among Chris
tians until the year 500. The plain
gold wedding rings which are the
fashion among the Anglo Saxon nation
came to us from tine SaxOns. A curious
variety of the old wedding ring is the
jimmel or gemmon ring. consisting oil
two or more links, some plain, others
elaborately ornamented, and engraved
with sacred inscriptions, Most curious
in shape are the large and elaborately
ornamented betrothal and marriage ring
in use among the Jews. The summit
of the hoops is generally surmounted
by-a small temple or pyramid shaped
tower opening upon hinge, and repre-
sentnig the ark of the covenant. They
are made for use in 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 Queeu Elizabeth Is said TO
have given to the Eerl of Essex "in
token of esteem" with the intimation
that il 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 in.
The Prince of Wales, in his marriage |
to the Princess Alexandria, gave her as
a keeper ring set with beryl, emerald.
ruby, turquoise, jacinth 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 bearing on
the face the motto, Sin defens," and
her initials, NJ. r. In the inner side
of the seal crowned monogram is
engraved, formed of the letters NJ. and
A. (for Mary and Albany,) referring to
the title of Lord Darnley as Duke of
Albany.
The ring of Henry, Lord Darnley, is
also preserved in the South kensinton
Museum. 1t bears the two initials an
and H." united by lovers kuot. In
the hoop is the name engraved, "Henri
L. Darnley," and the year of the
marriage, 1865.
Shakespeares signet ring is oftolerably
large size, and evidently a gentleman's
ring of Elizabeth's time. No positive
proof can be adduced as to the authen-
ticity Of the ring having belonged to
yet is accepted as such
having been found in 1910 by labOrer's
wife upon the surface near the mill
Stafford church yard. The
ring is now in the Shakespeare Museum
of the town.