Lutroduction. Sif 
endow.” The plain hoop of gold as a 
marriage or betrothal-ring appears to have 
been of very early origin. In the latter part 
of the fourteenth century it was customary 
to haye a motto or “Posy” engraved 
OUTSIDE the ring ; this continued during the 
fifteenth century ; in the sixteenth and seven- 
teenth the “‘ Posies” were engraved inside. 
The practice of inscribing rings existed 
largely in France and Germany as well as in 
England. Martin Luther on his marriage 
had a wedding-ring consisting of two parts, 
one portion of which was set with diamond, 
the other with ruby, the motto being 
*¢ Was Got zussamen fiiget soll kein Mensch 
scheiden.” 
‘* What God doth join no man shall part.” 
Rare “ Ben Jonson” thus alludes to mottoes 
on betrothal or marriage rings in his comedy 
of the “ Magnetic Lady”; the clergyman has 
to perform a hasty marriage, and asks, ‘‘ Have 
