ap
of peat. We give a side and front view of this interesting relic; the
whole is of gold, and is of considerable weight and thickness; the gold
threads are all beautifully reeded, and the lettering and head executed
with great care. The inscription reads--NOMEN EHLLA FID IN XPO,
equivalent to its owner saying, "My name is Ella, my faith is in
Christ."

[Illustration: Fig. 114.]

[Illustration: Fig. 115.]

The beautiful and remarkable collection of rings formed by Edmund
Waterton, Esq., F.S.A., to which allusion has already been made,
includes a ring of South Saxon workmanship, which was found in the
Thames at Chelsea in 1856. The face of this ring (Fig. 116) is an
elongated oval, with a circular centre. Within this circle is the
conventional figure of a dragon, surrounded by convoluted ornament,
reminding us forcibly of the prevailing enrichments so lavishly bestowed
on old Runic monuments, at home and abroad. Four quaintly-formed heads
of dragons occupy the triangular spaces, above and below this centre.
This ring is of silver. The ground between the ornament has been cut
down, probably for the insertion of niello or enamel colours.

[Illustration: Fig. 116.]

[Illustration: Fig. 117.]

Fig. 117 is an historic relic of singular interest, and a remarkable
work of early art. It is the ring of Ethelwulf, King of Wessex (the
father of Alfred the Great), who reigned A.D. 836-838, and bears the
royal name upon it. It was found in the parish of Laverstock, Hants, in
a cart-rut, where it had become much crushed and defaced. The form is
remarkable, the front rising pyramidally. Two birds of conventional form
face each other, a flower ornament dividing them; these decorations,
like those on Mr. Waterton's ring just described, are relieved by a
ground of glossy bluish-black enamel, cavities having been cut between
the ornament for its infusion. This ring is of gold, weighing 11 dwts.
14 grs.; it is now preserved in the British Museum.

[Illustration: Fig. 118.]

Mr. Waterton is the fortunate possessor of a ring second only in
interest and value to this royal relic. It is the ring of Ahlstan,
Bishop of Sherborne, the friend and counsellor of King Ethelwulf, who
flourished A.D. 817-867. It was discovered in Carnarvonshire, and has
the name of the bishop in divided letters distributed on the circular
rosettes of the design; they are connected by lozenge-shaped floriated
ornaments, having dragons in their centres. Our cut