West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-02-13
FINGER RINGS.
Engagement, Wedding, Mourning
and Other Circlets.
Their Importance and Significance In oIden
Times-Many supcrstitious Notions
The Old Marriage Ceremony
Rings Used by sharporA

IAN engagement ring" said the
dealer in rings and precious stones TO
the Herald representative, ''is nowadays
set with one or more diamonds and
worn by the lady on her left fore
finger The cost is in proportion to the
size OF the stones. Fifty dollars is per
haps the average price, though much
hgher prices are sometimes paid. A
plain hoop of gold would satisfy the
ancient custom. but as fashion has de-
creed diamonds, diamonds il must be
Tho diamond is emblcmatic of purity
you know, 50 YOU see there is quite an
appropriateness in its use. The Old
custom was for engaged lovers to cx-
change rings and suppose fond coupl es
sun do this TO some extent
''ln the old times a betrothal RING had
a good deal of significance. 1t was the
hrst ring that a maiden wore. At pres
ent' when every young lady wears one
or more rings, and may wear aS many
as she plcases, girls engagement rinp
Is no conspicuous adornment. and IS
not remarked by one in every hundred
OF her beho dcrs, unless it is a hand
Some diamond, and attracts attention
DV IT'S beauty. But bctrOthal rin0 was
a most as sacred as a wedding riDU
ana the girl who wore one was as good
as married. The maiden of the present
day enjoys much larger liberty, and
often makes good use OF it, She NAV
retract as many matrimonial promises
as she makes; may iilt six lovers and
return their rings marry seventh. and
invite the six fitted ones TO the marriage
ieast. The ancient engaged G.ri had to
wa rather narrow path; but the
modern engaged giri.--wcll, she Is a
trump, and ! rather like her She lives
IN liberty hall, and does a. she y eases.
The wedding-ring, continued the
dealer in jewels. lis a plain golden
circlct, more or less massive, ACCORDING
to the taste OF the parties. That every
woman viii have, whether she IS mar
RED with ring or not To a woman.
that is the ring of rings, and / know
some ladies who will never remove IL
under any circumstances They are
supcrstitiOus enough to think that
something evil will happen if they do.
and TO lose a wedding ring j. thought
by some to be the most unfortunate
thing that can happen Perhaps. II
some Of our divor e Judges should i'm
stitute inquiries i'm this direction and
ascertain if q lost wcdding-ring is not
at the bottom Of most marital mi.cries
they might confer boon upon matri-
monial humanity, and, by restoring the
ring, bring back happiness TO miser-
able souls
There are a good many supor.ti-
tons associated with it. and the light Of
reason has not yet disp.llcd them all
Have YOU never had q sty on your eve
cured by rubbing it with a wedIiny-
ring' If not. YOU have probably heard
OF such q cure for the Obnoxious little
pimplc. Well, 30 won cure it. but as
moth NJ else VII, either, 10 IS just as
good to uss as anything
mo doubt many Of the superstition.
clustering about the wedding r.ny grc,y
out OF the fact that i'm the old time. Il,
was especially hallowcd by sprinkllu0
with holy water and the Offspring Of
prayer for the benefit Of The wcarcr
IL would bc quite natural 10 believe that
such % ring would possess many secret
virtues
"The wcddinR-ring finger is the fourth
Hnger ot the left hand, counting from
the thumb. and % good many reasons
fi' -.f'N lNI ihiN iNDItt. iI was once
suppose ! that % special nerve or artery
stretched from The heart To- This finger.
80 the ring was put where 30 could have
instant communication with the seat Of
love The auatOmists have DESTROYED
that theory with the scaIpcl There IS
no such nerve
'ln the old marriage ceremony. when
the bridegroom spoke the word cudow-
ing bis bride with all bis worldly goods.
he put the ring upon her thumb. saw
ing lu the name of the father thcn
upon her forefnger. saying. In The
name of the Son, mex. upon her mid
DE finger, Tn the name OF the Holy
Ghost. finally placing "a on the fourth
finger he said Amen, and there he
.ci, It A more reasonable reason pr35a-
bly, g chat tue fourth is the least active
finger If tbo least used hand. whore The
ring may b' always sight, AID yet be
su. .ectcd o Che least wear.
ln Che Old times &c was very com
mon tJ have moUoes Inscribed Boo wci-
ding rings, buf tha. Is notm much in vogue
now except with ihc Jews They retain
all their oriental fondness for personal
armament awE Nf.r.Inu w.. 49,.