The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-05-19
ABOUT FINGER RINGS.
Something About the Customs Of the Past
and Present in Their Use.


he put this motto on his posy ring.
III survive
IN make them Eve
History does not tell us whether the
fourth Mrs Thomas approved the sent-
ment, nor whether the much marrying
bishop lived TO carry it out.
The motto rings Of today are patterns
of the posy rings Of several centuries ago.
The inscriptions are, of course, more
modern. but the sentiment remains the
same. OF late society has gone back to
the real old English posy, and the hands
Of our American bellies are being adorned
with rings that carry the same notices
that graced them in King Halls time.
There used TO be a custom i'm Rome
which made the bridegroom send the
bride before marriage "a ring of iron TO
show how lasting the union ought TO be,
and the frugality they were to obse' We
together. bat by and by luxury crept in.
and the iron ring was exchanged for one
of gold, which change doubtless delight
ed the Roman ladies.
Numerous superstitions are connected
with the ring The English and French
ladies Of the times Of the Crusades slept
with their pillows while their lords and
lovers were away fighting the infidel.
The custom was supposed 70 produce
pleasant dreams Of the absent ones. anc
the rings were believed 10 be talismans
Ia. :
through her betrothal ring three times
on tho night before her marriage is sure
10 see visions of the happiness i'm store
for her. and the Greek girl who finds "a
ring will marry before the year is out
The women Of the uncivilized countries
adorn their fingers with clumsy rings Of
bone and metal Not satisfied with this,
they wear rings i'm their ears and through
the nose Gypsy women are fond of
rings. some of which they claim possess
magical powers
OF course there is nothing i'm the so
called invisible rings We are told that
the famous circlet of Gyges rendered
the wearer invisible when the stone was
turned inward, and that the ring which
Omit. king of Lombardy. received from
the queens mother. always directed the
owner the right road to take in travelling
There is a legend that a knights daugh-
ter once found one of these invisible
rings on the day before her wedding
Charmed with the beauty of il, she put
il on and wore il TO the altar After the
ceremony she happened 60 turn the
stone inward. when 10! the prince saw
her vanish. as it were. and rushing from
the palace he was about 10 throw him
self into the sea, when he was checked
bv the bride discarding the ring and
calling him by name.
The custom Of wearing locks Of hair
or pictures in rings has gone out of style.
The POISONED ring is no longer made, for
we have got beyond the days OF the Dor
gias and the Medicis 1t Is generally be-
heved that Hannibal killed himself with
poison which he had long carried in a
ring made for that purpose and Demos
themes is said TO have worn a poison
circlct.
The true romance of the ring is con
uected with the engagement and we'd
ding fingers My lady wears the one
with anticipation and the other with
pride. As long as the world stands the
hoop Of gold will possess a significance
which no other personal ornament can
have. II. c. Harbaugh in Pittsburg Bull
letin