Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-04-08


The use of small bands of gold
and other metals as adornments Of
the person seems to be almost uni.
| versal among mankind. With the
highly civilized and with the sav.
age. from to-day as far back as his
tory or tradition can lead us. We
find the ring a widely used and ia
vorlte ornament. Through the
many parts it has played in the
lives of men during times past, the
ring has come down to us clustered
about with the poetry and romance
Of ages. 1t was long the symbol of
power and authority, for a single
impression of the signet ring of an
Alexander or Charlemagne could
seal the fate of individuals and of
nations. With us, as with many
other races, it is the symbol of
marriage, being used in the we'd
ding ceremonies of all Christian
nations. The Hebrews also en-
ploy it in the same way, as did like
wise the Romans. Greek, Persians
and ancient Egyptians. Among
the Hindoos, Persians, Greeks and
Egyptian the ring was also the
symbol of eternity. without begin
ming and without end.
When the first ring was fashion
ed, or who was it possessor, is a
point on which history can not en-
Tighten us. Evidence has been
discovered of its existence among
the earliest races aud numerous
specimens have been found in the
Oldest pyramids. Although the or
gin of the ring is thus unknown.
the Greeks supply pretty story to
ill the deficiency. 1t IS that after
Jupiter had decreed that Prone
theus should remain bound to the
rock for 10000 years he relented
and wished to free the prisoner.
SO he ordered a ring of iron to be
made, in which was set a small
piece of the rock. This was placed
upon the finger of Prometheus,
who thus remained fguratively
bound to the rock.
In the days when the impress of
mans signet-ring was recognized
everywhere as his signature, genu-
inc beyond a doubt, it was looked
upon as of priceless value, and
guarded with jealous care. If one
should happen to fall into the
hands of an enemy it could work
unlimited mischief in a very short
time. So absolute was the rule of
the signet-ring that when Alexan-
der the Great wished to nominate
one Of his generals, Perdiccas, as
his successor, he handed him his
signet-ring, and the power aud au-
thority Of Alexander passed with
the ring to Perdiccas.
The custom of placing the ring,
during the marriage ceremony,
upon the fourth finger of the bride,
comes from the ancient Romans.
1t was the belief with them and
other nations of that time that
vein extended from the fourth fing-
er Of the left hand to the heart,
and for that reason the fouEth fing-
er received the ring.
At various times rings have been
regarded by the superstitious as be-
ing a great value in overcoming
and preventing sickness and mis-
fortune. Some bore magic words,
each possessing certain virtue Of
its own. A piece of elk's horn in
ring would, IL vas beiioved, cure
epilepsy. Rings made Of a compo-
sltion OF lyon and quicksilver were
worD to prevent headache. Sap
phire in ring was a suEs Preserya-
tive against poison and ~culd also
procure favor with those in authori-
ty, and pacify enemies. Lord
Ruthyen once offered to Mary
Queen of Scots the ring which. he
said, would guard her sgainst the
fatal effects of po;sons.
But IN contradistinction to the
good Offices of these amulets was
the ring which Caesar Borgia is
said to have worn. Whenever he