mouth is inserted loose, so as to draw out and increase
to the size of the circle needed."[83-[+]]

[Illustration: Fig. 89.]

[Illustration: Fig. 90.]

Though a great variety of form and detail was adopted by Greek and Roman
goldsmiths for the rings they so largely manufactured, the most general
and lasting resembled Fig. 89, a Roman ring, probably of the time of
Hadrian, which is said to have been found in the Roman camp at
Silchester, Berkshire. The gold of the ring is massive at the face,
making a strong setting for the carnelian, which is engraved with the
figure of a female bearing corn and fruit. By far the greater majority
of Roman rings exhumed at home and abroad are of this fashion, which
recommends itself by a dignified simplicity, telling, by quantity and
quality of metal and stone, its true value, without any obtrusive aid.

Sometimes a single ring was constructed to appear like a group of two or
three upon the finger. Mr. Edwards has furnished us with the example,
Fig. 90. "It has the appearance of three rings united, widened in the
front and tapering within the hand. Upon the wide part of each are two
letters, the whole forming ZHCAIC, 'Mayest thou live.' The Romans often
preferred the Greek language in their most familiar customs."

Among the beautiful objects of antique art collected by B. Hertz, Esq.,
and sold by auction in 1859, by Messrs. Sotheby and Wilkinson, were many
antique rings inscribed with sentences and mottoes of a remarkable kind.
Those bearing Greek inscriptions were the wordiest; such as--"I love
not lest I go astray; but I observe well, and I laugh."--"They say what
they will; let them say, I care not." Many were evidently memorials of
friendship; one represented a hand pulling the lobe of an ear, with the
word "Remember;" another, with a similar device, with the motto "Remind
me of the noble character." Others were inscribed--EYTYXI--"Good luck to
you," and "I bring luck to him who wears this ring." Among the Latin
inscriptions were simple good wishes expressed in the words "Vivas" and
"Bene;" or sentiments expressed in few words, such as--"Love me, I will
love thee;" "Come, I will not;" "Be greeted, Fabiana." Many were simply
inscribed with the names of the persons to whom they were presented,
such as VLP. PRISCELLAE ("Ulpia Priscilla"); others with the names of the
owners, as Valeria Cleopatra and Hermadion Caesaris. A massive silver
ring inscribed with the name "Sabbina" is eng