The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-04
FINGER RINGS.
Ornaments RcpIctcs with Old Leg
ends and supersti:iOns.

From the New York Tribune-)
1t is doubtful whether the origin of the
custom of wearing a ring as a symbol OF
an engagement or marriage has ever been
established beyond dispute j is certain
/ however, that the custom is an ancient
one for in the Bible may be found several
| references to rings. and the Christians
used the ring as a symbol of marriage in
500.
Regarding the custom of wearing the
| wedding ring on the most useless flger
| OF the left hand-thc third fnser-th: ex-
! PLANTATION has been made that the help
lessness of that finger is protection to
the ring, as on the weakest finger it is
preserved from rough usage. Another rea-
son given is that on the third finger there
/ is vein leading from the heart. hence
the same excuse as that given for shaking
hands with the left hand. nearer the
| heart"
In olden times kings and others in au-
thority wore on the ring seal or image
that Indicated power, and in the time of
Moses the priests wore rings as symbols
of office. In the British Museum quaint
rings. made of porcelain, which once
adorned the fingers of the poorer classes
in Egypt, may be seen.
Among the Jews the ring is an important
factor in the marriage ceremony, and In
Germany the husband and wife exchange
wedding rings. The husband is expected
TO wear his marriage ring continuously.
In fact. it would be difficult matter for
a man to re-establish harmony in his home
were he discovered to have removed the
symbol of marriage from his finger, the
inference being that he had been tryiHg
TO conceal the fact of his marriage.
Queen Victoria possesses many rings, but
three OF these have special value, in view
OF the history connected with them. One
is her wedding ring-a narrow gold band.
The second is her betrothal ring, snaEe
made of smeralis and the third is Il dia-
mond rig given to her by Prince Albert
when she was young girl.
Queen Elizabeth, who was noted for her
love of jewelry, wore many rings. The
Emperor of Germany is another royal per-
sonage who has displayed liking for
rings. II is said that on all important
occasions the Kaiser will be seen to wear
on his left hand massive gold ring
set with large dark stone. The ring is
credited with being heirloom of the Ho-
henzollern family, and came into the pos
session of Margraf of Ulrich way back in
the thin teenth century. After a series
OF adventures and mishaps the rings be-
came the property of the Kaiser. who. al
though not superstitious man. is never
seen on occasions Of state and importance
without the ring.
Rings have been fashioned from every
material OF sufficient strength TO be put
TO such use. including gold. silver, steel, |
brass. iron. bronze. ivory. jet, earthen- |
ware and wire
Curious instances have been cited where |
makeshift substitutes for the conventional !
wedding ring have been utilized during the |
ceremony One such instance oc-
CURED some time ago in nearby town,
when the ring was missing. Nothing bet
er being available as a substitute, cur !
ain ring was used, and on still another
occasion the ring handle of the church Ley
was utilized. a couple in this State used
u such an emergency ring formed from
he outer edge OF coin, and which hld
,een carried by some one present as a Gu
iosity.
a gallant best man" came to the rescue
It recent wedding, when the ring was
lot forthcoming at the right time. He |
rev from his tie the sic 1der stickpin that
lad been aborning it, and, bending tne
wire into ring shape. handed the impro-
Used wedding ring TO the distracted
room.
horseshoe nail bent to the shape of a
ing is said 10 bring a great deal OF luck
q the owner, and the lead cramp ring
worn six centuries ago has given place
o various rings now worn to prevent and
ure rheumatism.
Teeth were at one time fashionable for
dorning rings, but such grewsome orna-
nnests are no longer sought after The
fashionable women OF today prefer the +
lore costly jewels.