The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-01
THE RING OF DEATH.
hei"nss in Spniu and Has n Grew
some History.

some History.
The magic power OF precious stones. is a
belief dating hack to the ancients. =
The gift CT eloquence is bestowed BY the
safdonyx. and Dis.aeii wore ring set
with this Jewel. upoa all occasions when
he wished 10 eleetrify his auditors and win
new adherents TO HIS cause That this be-
LIEF in the stone goes back into the cen
turtles is evinced by the fact that PIiny
tels story Of an impeeunious lawyer
VINO hired s2TdouyS with which to de-
icnd the cause OF 4 certain fair widow.
possessed Of great wealth and he sue
ceedcd in winning both the cause and tho d
widow at one and the same time.
The Princess Louise OF Lorue wears a
ring set with sparkling jet as one of her
taiismans, which is supposed to have sin
sGlar efficacy in preserving health. So
very supersiitious is the royal lady that
sometimes she will rot attend public func-
items as agreed upon on the plea that she
knows il viii be one of her bad days.
Quite as much as she treasures her Jet
ring Goes she also value and consult the
cards which are regularly sent to her
from Paris. These cards are issued al the
beginning cf each year, and give list OF
the days and hours to be avoided dur
Ing the coming twelve months
that II powdered and mixed With wine It
was a sovereign remedy against tooth
ache. II was also marvellous discoyerer
OF unfaithfulnass.
The Shah OF Persia is never without his
cube Of amber, which ne wears around his
neck. Il IS reported 10 have fallen from
heaven in the time OF Mohammed. Arnong
other properties it has also the power OF
rendering lis wearer ilvulnerable. Domi-
40 l..
hair about his neck. thinking it was bene-
fetal because II was amber-c olored.
Although many people believe that pearls
mean tears. the Rothschild family refuse
/ TO believe that their rate may be influenced
by precious stones. Upon the birth of ey-
cry girl ROthschild baby, six pearls are
purchased. each costing $500: upon each
I birthday six more pearls are added. so that
when the young woman makes her debut
she possesses casket OF magnificent gems.
NJ. lola is embarrassed in the trivial de-
! tails Of his daily life by host of supersti-
tious fears. and belief in good and evil
omens. His fancy takes the form of num-
bers. and seventeen he abhors; and he car
ries bit of coral as a talisman against
the perils Of flood and field and thunder
and bloodstone because it means courage
and wisdom.
Agate, which insures loag life. health
and prosperity, is the good Cmen worn by
the German Emperor. The young Car OF
Russia wears ring in which he believes
is imbedded q bit of the true cross Once
while travelling from St Petersburg to
Moscow. he suddenly found that he had
! forgotten his ring The train was stopped
and messenger sent flying back in an
express engine for it.
That the ring of death belongs In
Spain is ominous. 1t is a rare AMI bsan-
tiful ring, but il is never worn nor kepE
in any ones possession. as it is consid-
cred worse than the evil eye. This fatal
ring hangs about the neck of the patron
saint Of Madrid in one OF the most beau
| tiful parks of the Spanish capital. II is
| of pearls and diamonds, but thsre is no
| special provision made for watching it, as
| superstitious people like the Spanish
| prefer to give it q wide berth. and there
is no fear or hope of its being stolen
| The story of the ring is tragic one
| 1t was made for the father OF the present
| boy king. and he presented it to Mercedes
| upon the day of their betrothal- Her
| married life was short. Queen Christina.
| the kings grandmother. next wore the
| ring, but shortly after died. and the king
| gave 1t to his sister. Infanta del Pillar.
| who died within the month following.
The ring then passed to a daughter of the
| Due de Montpensier. and in less than
| three months she. too. died. The king,
fearing its influence, put the jewel in his
own treasure box: before the year was
| out he died, and it was thought best to
| put the ring away from the living. hence
| it was hung about the neck of the statue,
| where, its history being so well known,
it is deemed to be as safe as though sur
rounded by Gordon OF police