Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-01-03
BETRoTHAL AND WEDDING.
Some Interesting Facts About Them from
an English Writer.

an English Writer.
The Prince of Wales gave the Princess
Alexandra a keeper-ring, in which the
initial letters of the six stones -beryl,
emerald, ruby, turquoise, jacinth, emerald
formed her favorite name for him, Ber-
tie. The language and properties of
precious stones are as varied as are those Of
flowers and, like the latter gems, have
the proper seasons in which their good
qualities predominant. High priests in
whoever is touched with any stone set in a
silver ring shall be Immediately reconciled.
A pale sapphire, set in gold and engraved
with figure, and with the ha1f of fish,
procures any desire. Capricorn or cornell
ian, set in silver ring and carried about,
insures the wearer against harm in purse
and person no Judge can pass unjust sem
tence against him; he shall abound in
business and honor, gain the friendship of
many, and be all-powerful in battle.
A favorite supposition is that every
month in the year is under the influence of
some one of the precious stones. The gar
net, signifying constancy and truth, is
sacred to January the amethyst (sincer-
ity), to February the bloodstone Courage
and presence of mind), to March; the dia-
mond (nnocence), to April; the emerald
success in love-, to May the agate
(health and long life), to June the corne.
liam Ia contented mind, to July; the sar-
donyx (conjugal felicity, to August the
chrysolite (antidote to insanity, to Sep
TENDER the opal (hope), to October the
topaz (fidelity), to November; and the
turquoise prosperity, to December. In
Germany the turquoise is still the favorite
betrothal ring; it is supposed to prevent
dissensions between husband and wife, and
also to give warning of danger. In addi-
ton to the virtues already enumerated
the diamond is said to be an antidote to
Satanic temptation. The ruby makes its
possessor brave. The topaz is a preserva-
tive against poison. The amethyst is a
preventative against drunkenness. The
turquoise as a charm against the evil eye
and from looks foreboding misfortunes
The emerald promotes piety. The sar-
donic sardonyx brings unholy thoughts,
though it promotes conjugal felicity-is,
in fact, sort of bane and antidote affair
The opal, unless its influence is counter
acted by having other stones set with it,
brings luck.
One very pretty form of betrothal ring
which has fallen into disuse, was the gem
mel or grimmal-that is, double or treble
ring. This was made of two or three
hoops so chased and engraved that when
fastened together by single rivet the
whole formed one design. The usual device
was hand. When an engagement was
contracted the ring was taken apart one
division was worn by the fancee, one by
the intended husband, and the third by a
mutual friend and witness of the betrothal
On marriage, the three minor rings We're
reunited into one and worn by the
bride as "keeper," or as we'd
ding ring. Tertulian, who died A. d.
PIG, tells us that golden ring was, in his
time sent to the intended bride as apledge.
Selden says that betrothal rings were first
given as substitutes for dowery money. In
earlier days, when the art of writing was
not so Familiarity known as it is at the
present time, the ring had greater sig
nifcance as symbol of power. 1t formed
a seal by which all orders were signed and
all things of value secured. Therefore,
the delivery of it was a sign that
the person to whom it was intrusted
was admitted to the highest friend
ship and trust. For this reason it be-
came used In marriage ceremonies and in
some of the earlier marriages, we find that
not only the ring but also the keys, were
delivered to the bride. Wedding rings
were not always made of gold. Iron was
at one time generally used ; and the Ro-
man Senators, in the primitive days of the
republic, wore rings of that metal. Pro-
metheus, whose ring was of iron, is said to
have set this fashion. Among the very
poor in England rings made of rushes were
used in the marriage ceremony.
Though the ring of gold has long been
looked upon as a necessity to the marriage
ceremony, it is by no means indispensable,
and civil marriages may be contracted with
out it. The Puritans abolished the ring, or
rather tried to do so; they looked upon its
use as superstitious and of heather origin.
Quakers generally object to the ring on ac-
count of its heather origin; but the ladies
of that persuasion have shown a deter
mined preference for its continuance, on
account of the invidious position in which
married lady might be placed for the
want of it. Wedding rings are placed on
the left hand on account of the obedience
that is typified thereby. The converse is
probably the reason why the engaged band
is placed on the third right hand finger of
tiancee, who still possesses large amount
of freedom, and frequently exercises her
power in an arbitrary manner.