SOME CURIOUS WEDDING RINGS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1654, 1 November 1887, Page 3

SOME CURIOUS WEDDING RINGS.

In speaking of wedding rings, we learn (says the New York Jewellery News) that these important symbols have not always been manufactured from the precious metal gold. We are told that in lieu of the ring the church key has often been used; and Wapole tells of an instance where a curtain ring was employed. The Duke of Hamilton fell so violently in love /with the younger of the celebrated ' Misses Gunning, at a party in Lord Chesterfield’s house, that two days after he sent for a parson to perform the marriage ceremony ; but as the Duke bad neither license nor ring, the clergyman refused to act. No- . thing daunted, Hamilton declared he “ would send for the archbishop.” At last they were married with a ring of the fied curtain, at half-past 12 at night, at Mayfair Chapel. Forgetful : bridegrooms have been reduced to ' greater straits than this even; in one r instancea leather ring had, on the spur of the moment, to be cut out of ■a, piece of kid from the bride’s glove. .. A tragic story of a forgotten wedding , ripg is told in the “ Lives of the Lindseys.” When he should have been at Church, Colin Lindsey, the young , Earl of Balcarres, was quietly eating his breakfast in nightgown and slippers; when reminded that Mauritia of Nassau was waiting for him at the altar, he hurried off to church, but forgot the ring ; a friend present gave . him one, which he without looking at placed on the bride’s finger. After .the ceremony was over, the countess glanced at her hand and beheld a grinning death’s head on her ring, tihe fainted away, and the omen made such an impression on her, that on recovering she declared that she was destined to die within a year; a presentiment that probably brought about its own fulfilment, for in a few months the careless Colin was a widower.