Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1878 — Languages of Finger-Rings. [ARTICLE]

Languages of Finger-Rings.

In case of a gentleman wishing to marry—literally “in the market” with his heart—he wears a plain or chased gold ring upon the first finger of the left or heart hand. When success attends his suit, and he is actually engaged, the ring passes on to the third finger. If, however, the gentleman desires to tell the fair ones that he not only is not “in the market,” but that he does not design to marry at all, he wears the signet upon his little finger, and all the ladies may understand that he is out of their reach. With the fair sex “ the laws of the ring” are: A plain or chased gold nng on the little finger of the right hand implies not “engaged,” or, in plain words, “ ready for proposals, sealed or otherwise.” When engaged the ring passes to the third finger of the right hand. When married the third finger of the left hand receives it. If the fair one proposes to defy all siege to

her heart, she places the rings on her first and fourth finger, one on each — like two charms, to keep away the tempter. It is somewhat singular that this latter disposition of rings is very rare.