any
injury to an amulet-ring was looked upon as a sure presage of coming
misfortune. It is related of a Turk in the town of Jablanica, Bosnia,
that having broken his amulet-ring, he started out forthwith on an
arduous ten-hours' journey to Mostar, the nearest place where his ring
could be repaired, and he no doubt pursued his way in fear and
trembling lest the threatened ill-fortune should befall him ere he
reached the goldsmith who could mend his ring and thus restore its
virtue.55 In the National Hungarian Museum at Budapest is a
silver ring set with a carnelian, on which are engraved Oriental
characters. This was found, in 1812, in the garden of the royal palace
at Budapest. Rings of a similar kind are often worn by Turks and Arabs,
and are greatly valued as talismans, as they are believed to afford
the wearers protection in battle, in the chase, and when indulging in
dissipation.56
The
ring with its smooth circle, having neither beginning nor end, is a
fit symbol of eternity, and is often figured in this connection; and
yet its material substance is transitory. This aspect is illustrated by
the Eastern story that a wise man and favorite of a king once gave him
a ring on which was the inscription: " Even this shall pass away." In
bestowing it upon the king, the sage said : " When in dire distress
your soul is weighed down with trouble, look at this ring! When in the
midst of festivities, joy and wild hilarity, look at this ring! Even this shall pass away." 57
55 William Jones, " Credulities Past and Present," London, 1880, p. 177.
86 " Cimeliotheca Musei Nationalis Hungarici," Budae, 1825, p. 55.
57 Communicated by Mr. George Osborn.
