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THE EAGLE STONE. 341
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said
: "In the middle ages some poisons were reputed to have been
administered by contact: and there are many stories of poisoned rings
used for such a purpose. These rings were said to be poisoned on the
interior, having a sharp point there, so that when a person grasped the
hand wearing the ring, some of the poison was passed into his body. But
I believe the statement to be altogether without foundation, because
there is no kind of proof that the ancients had such a subtle poison as
is here supposed. We have hardly got such a thing now, and I think it
can scarcely have existed in the Middle Ages."
The
ring has always been the favourite ornament of the human race, from the
time of the prehistoric cave-dweller to the present day ; from the
plain bronze hoop of prehistoric man to the classic intaglio ring and
the masterpieces of the Renaissance craftsmen. There are signet rings,
papal rings, and memorial rings,—poison rings, and incantation
rings,—symbolical rings, and ceremonial rings,—rings with Egyptian
scarabs, Hebrew inscriptions, Koran texts, and reliquaries. There are
rings oriental, and occidental, of gold, and of silver, of bronze, and
of bone, of amber, and of terra-cotta.
THE EAGLE STONE.
Of Stones
" less precious" which were at one time in favour for wear, as of
supposed mystic properties, the Eagle Stone (no longer recognised by
our leading jewellers) may be taken for a fair instance. " The Eagle Stone (Dr. J. Schroder, Compleat Chymioal Dispensatory, 1669) " is so called because it is found in an eagle's nest, brought thither by an eagle, to help
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