Books with author William J. Birnes

I had intended to confine my observations exclusively to the subject of ‘ring superstitions,’ but in going through a wide field of olden literature I found so much of interest in connection with rings generally, that I have ventured to give the present work a more varied, and, I trust, a more attractive character.The importance of this branch of archæology cannot be too highly appreciated, embracing incidents, historic and social, from the earliest times, brought to our notice by invaluable specimens of glyptic art, many of them of the purest taste, beauty, and excellency; elucidating obscure points in the creeds and general usages of the past, types for artistic imitation, besides supplying links to fix particular times and events.In thus contributing to the extension of knowledge, the subject of ring-lore has a close affinity to that of numismatics, but it possesses the supreme advantage of appealing to our sympathies and affections. So Herrick sings of the wedding-ring:And as this round Is nowhere found To flaw, or else to sever, So let our love As endless prove, And pure as gold for ever!It must be admitted that in many cases of particular rings it is sometimes difficult to arrive at concurrent conclusions respecting their date and authenticity: much has to be left to conjecture, but the pursuit of enquiry into the past is always pleasant and instructive, however unsuccessful in its results. One of our most eminent antiquarians writes to me thus: ‘We must not take for granted that everything in print is correct, for fresh information is from time to time obtained which shows to be incorrect that which was previously written.’My acknowledgments are due to friends at home and abroad, whose collections of rings have been opened for my inspection with true masonic cordiality.I have also to thank the publishers of this work for the liberal manner in which they have illustrated the text. Many of the engravings are from drawings taken from the gem-room of the British, and from other museums, and from rare and costly works on the Fine Arts, not easily accessible to the general reader. Descriptions of rings without pictorial representations would (as in the case of coins) materially lessen their attraction, and would render the book what might be termed ‘a garden without flowers.’In conclusion I will adopt the valedictory lines of an old author, who writes in homely and deprecatory verse:FOR HERDE IT IS, A MAN TO ATTAYNE TO MAKE A THING PERFYTE, AT FIRST SIGHT, BUT WAN IT IS RED, AND WELL OVER SEYNE FAUTES MAY BE FOUNDE, THAT NEVER CAME TO LYGHT, THOUGH THE MAKER DO HIS DILIGENCE AND MIGHT. PRAYEING THEM TO TAKE IT, AS I HAVE ENTENDED, AND TO FORGYVE ME, YF THAT I HAVE OFFENDED.CONTENTSRings from the Earliest PeriodRing SuperstitionsSecular Investiture by the RingRings in connection with Ecclesiastical UsagesBetrothal and Wedding RingsToken RingsMemorial and Mortuary RingsPosy, Inscription, and Motto RingsCustoms and Incidents in connection with RingsRemarkable Rings

The use of signet-rings as symbols of great respect and authority is mentioned in several parts of the Holy Scriptures, from which it would seem that they were then common among persons of rank. They were sometimes wholly of metal, but frequently the inscription was borne on a stone, set in gold or silver. The impression from the signet-ring of a monarch gave the force of a royal decree to any instrument to which it was attached. Hence the delivery or transfer of it gave the power of using the royal name, and created the highest office in the State. In Genesis (xli. 42) we find that Joseph had conferred upon him the royal signet as an insignia of authority. Thus Ahasuerus transferred his[Pg 2] authority to Haman (Esther iii. 12). The ring was also used as a pledge for the performance of a promise: Judah promised to send Tamar, his daughter-in-law, a kid from his flock, and for fulfilment left with her (at her desire) his signet, his bracelet, and his staffDarius sealed with his ring the mouth of the den of lions (Daniel vi. 17). Queen Jezebel, to destroy Naboth, made use of the ring of Ahab, King of the Israelites, her husband, to seal the counterfeit letters ordering the death of that unfortunate man.

I had intended to confine my observations exclusively to the subject of ‘ring superstitions,’ but in going through a wide field of olden literature I found so much of interest in connection with rings generally, that I have ventured to give the present work a more varied, and, I trust, a more attractive character.The importance of this branch of archæology cannot be too highly appreciated, embracing incidents, historic and social, from the earliest times, brought to our notice by invaluable specimens of glyptic art, many of them of the purest taste, beauty, and excellency; elucidating obscure points in the creeds and general usages of the past, types for artistic imitation, besides supplying links to fix particular times and events.

About the book: Journey with the Dots as they develop fins and the ability to swim in response to selective pressure caused by major topographical change. About the series: The Evolutionary Journey series follows the "Dots" along fun and exciting adventures, as they encounter various evolutionary phenomena. Each story in the series is designed to introduce evolutionary principles from an isolated perspective, making them clearly understandable. The simplified evolutionary concepts are perfect for the naturally inquisitive minds of young children as they develop increasingly abstract thought. More about the series at www.jjwilliam.com. Books in the series: Each title available as a story book and a coloring book: Red Dots and Blue Dots - The Dots adapt to a changing habitat and predatory selective pressure. Dots Have Fins - The Dots adapt to selective pressure from a major topographical change.

Since 1947, the mysterious crash of an unidentified aircraft at Roswell, MN, has fueled a firestorm of speculation & controversy with no conclusive evidence of its extraterrestrial origin -- until now. Col. Corso tells the whole explosive story. Backed by documents newly declassified through the FOIA, he reveals for the first time his personal stewardship of alien artifacts from the crash, & discloses the government s role in the Roswell incident: what was found, the cover-up, & how these alien artifacts changed the course of 20th-century history. The artifacts were analyzed & integrated into the military arsenal & the business sector. Photos.

About the book: Journey with the dots as they develop a new color in response to a changing habitat and predatory selective pressures. About the series: The Evolutionary Journey series follows the "Dots" along fun and exciting adventures, as they encounter various evolutionary phenomena. Each story in the series is designed to introduce evolutionary principles from an isolated perspective, making them clearly understandable. The simplified evolutionary concepts are perfect for the naturally inquisitive minds of young children as they develop increasingly abstract thought. More about the series at www.jjwilliam.com. Books in the series: Red Dots and Blue Dots - The Dots adapt to a changing habitat and predatory selective pressure. Dots Have Fins - The Dots adapt to selective pressure from a major topographical change.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Excerpt from Ojibwa Texts, Vol. 7The material contained in the present volume represents part of the results obtained by the late William jones in his work undertaken under the auspices of the Carnegie Institution during the years 1903, 1904, and 1905. During this period Dr. Jones was research assistant at the Carnegie Institution, and he was charged with the study of the Ojibwa tribes. Most of his investigations were carried on north of Lake Superior. During the year 1906, when he was still engaged in working up the results obtained during the journeys undertaken for the Carnegie Institution, he accepted a position in the Anthropological Department of the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago.He was immediately sent to the Philippine Islands to collect and study on behalf of the Museum. He took his manuscript material along, h0ping to work on it in spare moments. During his researches in the Philippine Islands he was killed by the natives, and the manuscript material lay for a long time buried in Manila. Finally the Field Museum of Natural History sent a member of its staff, Mr. S. C. Simms, to rescue Dr. Jones's collections. He also found the manuscript which, at the request of Professor Boas, was turned over to him by the Carnegie Institution for the purpose of reporting on its condition. An agreement was reached between Professor Boas and the Carnegie Institution by which the Institution undertook to contribute to the expense of printing the collections.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.