Wichita eagle., 1889-11-14

Amen" where il remained Wearing the
wedding ring on the thumb was not uncom-
mon during the reign of the first and second
Georges, in which position it is seen in con-
temporary portraits.
In the English church the use Of q ring at u
wedding ceremony is essential, il being re-
quired by the rubric. The kind, size or quail
ity Of the ring is not stipulated, end there are
on record marriages in England in which bed
curtain rings, church keys and even a ring
cut transversely from a finger of a kid glove,
have been used So far rs our investigation
has entered into these curious but interesting
facts we do not remember to have seen any
case in which the ring Of a church bell was
used
The natives of Malabar had custom early
in the present century, which, for the pecu-
liar use of the ring in the marriage ceremony,
is very marked The bride and groom being
seated on a throne. the wcman's neck and
head were decorated vita jewels and flowers.
The grooms feet were washed with milk by
young relative, who also puts a silver ring
upon bis toe. The groom, as if to return the
compliment and go the young relation one
better, decorates the attendants finger with
a gold ring, after which the ceremonies pro-
coed
The Italians, always lovers Of art nc Or
namenta,i0n, used betrothal rings Of silver
nlaid with niello. The bezel was oval or cir
cular, the shoulders of the hoop so formed az
to represent sleeves. from each issued right
hand, the hands being clasped- Ia Venice
the giving of the berrothal ring was a public
event.
Among the modern Greek peasants the
wedding ceremony is one of much form and
little solemnity, there being much which Is
aLegorical in the performance. Two rings, q
gold and a silver one, are interchanged be-
tween the contracting parties, the ceremony
being concluded by both drinking wine from
one cup. In the regular ritual of the Greek
church, which is the prevailing worship in
Russia, - betrothal ceremony was separate
from the marriage and was conducted by the
priest who, after blessing gold and a silver
ring, gave the gold ring to the groom and
the silver ring to the bride and repeated the
form of the espousal the rings being placed
on the right hands OF the parties. The grooms-
man then changed the rings In order that the
bride would not feel the inferiority implied
by the less costly material from which the
silver ring was made, as well as to indicate
.he common ownership Of property.
In Armenia the mother performs the pleas
ant duty of selecting Q husband for her
daughter, and as she probably selected some
young fellow for whom she had a fancy,
there was undoubtedly saved much OF the ac-
rimonious discussion which usually occurs
between a man and his mother in law After
the terms of marriage were agreed upon, the
bridegrooms mother, accompanied by a
priest and two matrons visited the bride and
hor Fob. o<z.
were afterward married with a ring
In Java, whore marriage occurs at . very
tender age the courtship is carried On by the
parents, the children not being allowed to In
terfere, and ring is given the girl as an eyi-
dence that the engagement is binding. In
Iceland large ring, variously formed of
bone, stone jet, gold and silver, was used as
a ratification of engagements 1t was large
enough to permit the groom 20 pan his four
fingers and palm through Il, IN which hand
be received the brides hand during the be-
trothal. Occasionally these ceremonial rings
were placed upon the altar and there used
This may be a mobilization of an old custom
prevalent in the Orkneys, where the contract
Ing parties joined hands through peSforar
ton or ring In stone pillar.
In Ireland many Of the psasantry believe
Is Illegal, and at one town, at least, . person
kept wedding rings for hire In Claddagh.
at Galway, nuptil rings Of very ancient
patterns are found among tie fishermen,
wives. they having descended through many
generations as heirioorla
In America the custom Of giving rinzs 70
indicate the betrothal, and heir use q. wed
dings, is general, few churches rejecting this
silent emblem Of q compact which should Be
sndless- II Is a strange thing that custom
once established should follow down century
after century. and become as Widespread a.
mankind itself The Use Of al engagement
ring gives pleuty Of oppoT.unity 10 tie Jew
eler for iudicious suggestion, and prospective
bridezroous should Be urged In purchasing
any jewel, to ins.st upoa - fa-lex purity.
A diamond is believed 70 be the favorite
gem. but as ia ssse wita the vuixsr IL s,sr,
posed 70 bear soGae proportion TO the fortune
OF the givs-. ladies of dsiicacy prefer smaller
settings John K AEseu IN The Jewescr.