The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-10-09

MYSTIC RINGS.
Of Finger, Ring Love-.
a1 -.., Historic Chances.
(worcester Gazette

30 ItH3f2 Ysm DIS ---.rN,'d 1Ni lGFsi ll
i,;ii hne Worcester Gazette )9djeaad no.
The ring has for many ages formed a
part'of ecclesiastical insignia 1t appears
10 Rave had twofold purpose and sig
nificance-the one as 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 a,variety of
shape and ornamentation. The Pope
uses a ring for the purpose Of afflxing
his fsigast1fe to sny documents. The
asusl types Of Pontifcial rings are mas
sive books with the CROSSED keys en-.
graved on them In early times they
were made Of gilt bronze and set with
precious, stones A,lsv7a s,ena-
Great Importance is attached to Epis-
copal rings. which forms part of eccle.
siastical, vesture; they are generally set
with o. sapphire or . ruby, but their
shape varies considerably ga-eg
I Rings ss pledges of betrothal and
wedding gifts are Of very ancient ori
gin. The, Romans used iron as mate
rial for their rings; this metal was cho
sen IS symbolic Of the lasting character
of the engagement. go s' y nv
The ring was not used among Chris.
tisns until the year 500 The plain gold
wedding rings which are the fashion
among Anglo Saxon nations came to us
from the Saxons, A curious variety Of
the old wedding ring is the jimmel or
gemmon ring, consisting of two or
more links, some plain, others elaborate.
ly ornamented,a d,and engraved with sacred
Inscriptions Most curious In shape ere
the large and deliberately oramented be-
trothal aud marriage rings id use among
the Jews The summit Of hoops is gen.
orally surmounted by small temple or
pyramid.shaped lower opening upon q
hinge, and representing the ark of the
covenant !; they are made for the use of
the Synagogue, and are placed on the
fingers or the couple at certain part OF
the marriage.rites. bas flgys8 k9aefa.
D 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 s.in to-
ken Of esteem," With the intimation that
II he ever forfeited her favor and it
should be sent back to her, the sight of
II would insure his forgiveness. y l1I;
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., lsaiJ f5
Q The Prince of Wales, in his marriage
to the Princess Alexandra. gave her as a
keeper q ring set with beryl, emerald,
rubH turquoise, jacinth, and emerald
again, spelling thus his familiar name,
BERTHE 3 1e9 ai faa gaJ +
's OF remarkable ringsthere are several
worthy Of description. The gold signet
riEg of Mary Qoeen of Scots is one of
Them, and Is described az bearing ON the
face the motto, In defens" and her mi
tials, NJ. R In the inner side OF the
seal a crowned manogrsm iszengraved,
formed Of the letters NJ and A flor Mary
and Albspy,) referring to the title of
Lord Darnley a. Duke Of Albany
1.-The ring 1T Henry. Lord Darnlev. il
also preserved in the South Kensiugton
Museum II hears the two initials, m
and H " united by alover's knot !; in he
hoop is the name engraved, s.Henri L
Dsrnley,' aud the year of the marriage,
1885, i, rsbaa 1e 1ssfs3G Ti7at wi IL
Shakespeare's signet ring is of tolera
bly, large size, and evidently gentle
mans ring Of EliEabethis time ;no posi-.
tive proof can be adducsd a. to the au-
thenticity Of the ring having belonged
to Shakespeare, yet is accepted as such,
having beenufoundi in 1910 by alaborer's
wife upon9 the surface near the mill ad-
joining Stratford Church-yard. The ring
is now lin the Shakespeare Museum Of
the town I'd bae ,s5ahnt t5m.1 sasa
n n t,af fs.aa 4