xcept the little finger of the right
hand, being furnished with one. They exhibit great variety of design,
and are valuable as exponents of the fashion of that day. We engrave in
Fig. 151 the hands of the lady, as uplifted in prayer, with four of the
rings, the full size of the originals.

[Illustration: Fig. 151.]

Recurring to the ancient people whose sacred records gave us the
earliest knowledge of the use of rings, we may profitably devote some
attention to the very beautiful rings, formerly used by the Hebrews for
betrothals and weddings. The Londesborough collection furnishes us with
the two fine examples engraved in Figs. 152 and 153. They are often
termed "tower rings," from the figure of the sacred temple placed on
their summit. In the first specimen it takes the form of a sexagonal
building, with a domed roof of an Eastern character; in the second it is
square, with a deeply pitched roof, having movable vanes at the angles,
and is probably the work of some German goldsmith. Upon the roof of the
first is inscribed in enamelled letters the best wish--"joy be with
you"--that a newly-married couple would command. The same words are
inscribed in more richly-designed letters on the curve of the second
ring. Both are of gold, richly chased, enamelled, and enriched by
filigree work, and are sufficiently stately for the most imposing
ceremonial.

[Illustration: Fig. 152.]

[Illustration: Fig. 153.]

A third Hebrew ring of less striking appearance, but of equal or greater
curiosity, is also engraved from the same rich collection, in Fig. 154.
It bears on its surface a representation (in high relief) of the
temptation of our first parents, who are surrounded by various animals,
real and imaginary, their joint residents in Paradise. The workmanship
of all these rings has been dated to the commencement of the sixteenth
century.

[Illustration: Fig. 154.]

We close our series with a wedding-ring, commemorative of a marriage
which excited the marked attention of the entire Christian community, as
a vigorous protest against monkery by that "solitary monk that moved the
world"--Martin Luther. Renouncing the faith of Rome, he revoked his vow
of celibacy, and completed his total severance from its creed by
marrying a lady who had been once a nun, named Catharine Boren. The
ring, here engraved, is that used on the occasion. It is of elaborate
design and execution; a group of emblems of the Saviour's Passion, the
pillar,