§ 26. There is an interesting story in the _Gesta Romanorum_[379] (indeed the whole work is full of pleasing matter) entitled the judgment of Solomon. It is often represented in that illumination which in the ancient manuscripts of the French translation of the Bible by Guiars des Moulins is prefixed to the Proverbs of Solomon, although the story itself does not occur in that Bible. It appears to have been a great favorite in the middle ages; and was often related from the pulpit. A king, in some domestic difference with his wife, had been told by her that one only of her three sons was a true offspring, but which of them was so she refused to discover. This gave him much uneasiness; and his death soon afterwards approaching, he called his children together; and declared, in the presence of witnesses, that he left a ring, which had very singular properties, to him that should be found to be his lawful son. On his death a dispute arose about the ring between the youths--and it was at length agreed to refer its decision to the King of Jerusalem. He immediately ordered that the dead body of the father should be taken up and tied to a tree; that each of the sons should shoot an arrow at it and that he who penetrated the deepest should have the ring. The eldest shot first and the arrow went far into the body; the second shot also and deeper than the other. The youngest son stood at a distance and wept bitterly; but the king said to him: “Young man, take your arrow and shoot as your brothers have done.” He answered, “Far be it from me to commit so great a crime. I would not for the whole world disfigure the body of my own father.” The king said: “Without doubt you are his son, and the others are changelings: to you, therefore, I adjudge the ring.” * * * * * Here the author closes his “Dactylotheca” or casket of rings. Metaphorically speaking, he fears it has been discovered that he does not wear a _ring of power_; and that no _talismanic ring_ is in his possession. And it may be that some constrained position in which the writer has kept his readers, will allow them to desire the use of _cramp rings_ for relief. If so, he would willingly “creep to cross” to succor them: provided the ending of this essay did not answer that purpose. One thing the author will hope; and it is this: that his readers and he have fashioned the interesting token of friendship a _gimmal ring_; and if it be so, then they will pass from this work with the idea that they have one part of such ring, while the writer may proudly hold to the other, until some future essay shall bring author and friends and the twin hoops of the _gimmal_ together again. With such a token upon his hand, he can waive a farewell. INDEX. A. Abraxas stones, 95. Ackmetchet, marriage at, 199. Agate, its supposed magical and medical powers, 104. Agnes, St., priest placing ring on finger of statue, 141. Ahlstan, ring of, 39.