The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-03-20
AN ODD WEDDING RING.

has recently been placed in the Metropoli~
tan Museum of Art, and it embodies an
idea which some fashionable jewelers. are
thinking of copying in modern iewelry 1t
is a Roman ring of bronze, and attached to
it is small bunch of KEYS In the British
Museum there is a similar ring made of
gold.
These rings are supposed to have been
given at the time of the wedding, in addi-
ton to regular wedding ring. and the
keys in many instances were actual keys.
which fitted the locks of Jewel cases and
other small baskets. At a Roman wedding
the keys of the house were delivered to the
same time the wedding ring was placed on
her finger.
1t is an interesting fact that as far back
as antiquarians can trace the wedding ring
it was always placed on the fourth finger
Some ancient manuscripts recently dis.
covered explain the origin of this custom
by the statement that nerve was sup
posed to reach from this finger to the heart.
The placing of the wedding ring upon the
fourth finger of the bride signified the
transfer Of property.
The engagement ring of the Egyptians
a feast given by the bridegroom, and at the
same time the day was fixed for the wedding
Contrary to the custom of the present day,
when the engagement ring may cost many
thousands of dollars, the betrothal ring of
the Egyptians was of iron. This indicates
the mutual sacrifice of liberty.
Instead of gem, the ancient engage
ment ring contained lodestone, which
symbolized the force of attraction that was
drawing the maiden out Of her own family
into another. 1t was not until the ninth
century that marriage rings were used by
Christians, although the Hebrews had
been using wedding rings from the
earliest times, some fine specimens Of
which are to he seen in the museums OF
this country. The Jewish rings were
inscribed Mazal Tob, signifying good for
tune.
A curious custom was that of the Anglo
SaXons, among whom the bridegroom
placed a ring on the maiden's right hand,
where it remained until, at the marriage,
it was transferred to her left hand An
extraordinary custom of English women
fp tha ~; h,
thumb.
This prevailed during the time of Queen
Elizabeth, of whom there are many por-
traits eXtant showing rings upon her
thumbs As late as the reign of George
H. it was a custom in England for brides
to remove the ring from its proper place to
the thumb as soon as the ceremony was
over.
1t is dangerous thing for a Spanish
lover to present lady with ring unless
he desires soon to marry her. The Spanish
courts have ever and over again held that
such present was the same as a betrothal
and that ring which had been presented
by man is sufficient evidence Of an
engagement having existed between them
Spanish brides have deep superstition
against removing the wedding ring from
the finger after it has once been placed
there. The only occasion upon which they
can be induced to do this is when guests al
the wedding feast desire to pass pieces Of
the wedding cake nine times through thu
ring. These pieces of cake are afterwards
taken home to he put under pillows, and
the young girl who does this is supposed
to dream of her future husband.