The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1889-04-04
THE MAGIC CIRCLE.
SOMETHING INTERESTIN Nc
ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF
THE ENGAGEMENT
RING
How il Came TO be Worn.

How il Came to be Worn.
Among the budding male gem
Grafton OF to day, it is still true,
as it was years ago, that "In The
spring young mans fancy
lightly turns to thoughts of
love-" 1t is equally true that
the young woman's fancy keeps
pace with the time by lightly
turning to thoughts of the gold
en- band which, as a natural Sc
quence, shall eucircle her taper
finger and remind her that she
is no longer "self-possessed."
Was it ever your privilege to
observe, unobserved, young
woman's conduct toward her
newly acquired engagement
ring? 1t feels so strange upon
her tand that she cannot help
examining it a dozen times each
half hour, always, however, on
the sly. On the first night she
sits up an hour later than usual
to, admire 1t boldly in the Sc
clu5iOn of her own apartment.
A frequent kiss is administered
to the shining band and it's gilt
tering gem, and during the
night she dreams that it has
fa len into a stream and awak-
ems, clutching the finger to as
sure herself that the precious
pledge is still secure.
Then, on the following day,
she wears it only in secret, TAX
ing care to transfer it to her
pocket at table and when in the
company Of her intimates. But
place her among strangers, or
among casual acquaintances who
cannot be inquisitive, and how
bravely will she fiaunt the to
ken before theii eyes, as one
| VINO SnOui0 say
ri may not be the LOWEST crea-
ture in tie world, but you will
observe that get there all the
same"
Gradually it assumes it's place
in her daily life, and her blush
es grow less violent with each
succeeding explanation of its
Significance and each extrava-
CANT description of its donors
attributes. But before it finally
becomes a part of herself, as il
we're, she must, Of course, leave
liz dozen times at least upon
the washstand, and suffer in con.
sequence a dozen violent attacks
Of palpitation Of the heart until
it is recovered.
In the life of any woman
worthy the name, no incident
can carry with it a. charm and
an influence equal to those OF
the engagement ring, unless il
be the first smile of the frs
born.
| Yet, strange as it may appear
not one woman in a Thousand
knows anything Of the origin OF
primal significance of the finger
ring which means SO much tx
to her, or pauses to reflect why
it should not be as appropriate
| ly placed in her nose or upo1
her ankle.
| It may interest the lady O.
1889 to know that the love o
finger ornaments, which neithe
time nor the caprice of fashion
can kill or lessen, has survived
the wreck of many centuries
and is, indeed, older than histo
ry itself. The Egyptian lady
whose portrait adorns her mum
rny case, is exhibited to us will
both hands, thumbs and all
covered with rings.
Just at what period ladies be
, gan to wear these ornaments i
unknown; but certainly it i
that originally they were tn
exclusive property Of the NAL
sex, and were devoted entirel,
, to business purposes. Love ha'
, Ino part in their existence. Al
f old time writer of considerabl
repute states that among th
ancients it was esteemed highl
! improper for single Or nnma1
, ried persons to wear rings un
: less they were judges, doctor
' or Senators. With all others
3 was regarded as evidence of van
4 ! ity or lasciviouspess.
e WHERE CUPID STEPPED IN.
Later. however, he says,
a was permitted to affianced pei
sons to wear this honorable dee
y oration, and this fact is certain
: ly proof of the high honor i
r which wedlock was held--if th
}, statement be true.
i Loves appropriation of th
. ornament as a token and pledgt
q is readily explained. Ring
were the most intimate, precior
and durable objects which me
:. of old particularly the Roman
-possessed. A mans ring We
his lock and his safeguard /
q would set it on a seal whic
e could not be infringed withor
e discovery. Seals were seldo'
l. forced. and their amnlovmaI