THE SAPPHIRE. 111
made,
impress their virtues upon us, insomuch that they affect the spirit of
him that carries them, with gladness, or sadness ; and render him bold,
or fearful ; courteous, or terrible ; amiable, or hateful; inasmuch
also as they fortify us against sickness, poisons, enemies, evil
spirits, and all manner of hurtful things."
"
I have read in Philostratus Jarchus that a Prince of the Indians
bestowed seven Rings, marked with the virtues, and names of the Seven
Planets, on Apollonius ; of which he wore one every day, distinguishing
according to the names of the days ; by the benefit of which Rings he
lived above one hundred and thirty years, as also always retained the
beauty of his youth." " In like manner Moses, the Lawgiver, and Ruler
of the Hebrews, being skilled in the Egyptian Magic, is said by
Josephus to have constructed Rings of Love, and Oblivion."
"
The manner of making Talismanic Rings is this. When any star ascends
(auspiciously) in the horoscope, with a fortunate aspect, or
conjunction of the moon, we proceed to take a Stone, and Herb, that are
under the star, and we likewise make a ring of the metal that is
corresponding to the star ; and, in the ring, beneath the stone put the
herb, or root, not forgetting to inscribe the image, name, and
character, as also the proper sufiume, (a decoction of root, herb,
flower, seed, etc. : the smoke of which is conveyed into the body from
a close-stool)."
About
a century ago it was customary to wear the Marriage-ring on the thumb ;
though at the nuptial ceremony it was placed on the fourth finger. The
fashion of wearing a ring on the thumb is very ancient in England.
During Elizabeth's reign, grave
