Introduction. 33 
The custom seems to have been general in 
all ranks of life. 
Some years back a substantial gold wedding- 
ring was found inside a cod-fish, caught in 
Hants Harbour, Newfoundland : it bore this 
posy inside, cut in block letter, — 
** May God above continew our love,” 
Doubtless this ring could tell a tale if it 
could only speak and let us know the history 
of its chequered career. 
Dr. John Thomas, Bishop of Lincoln, 
appears to have been tolerably used to the 
marriage service ; on marrying his fourth wife 
he is said to have chosen for his posy,— 
“Tf I survive I'll make them five.” 
Another reverend Bishop (Cokes) gave his 
wife a ring on her marriage, on which were 
represented a Hand, a Heart, a Mitre, and 
a Death’s Head, with posy,— 
‘* These three I give to thee 
Till the fourth set me free.” 
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