In a curious old manuscript relating to the Ancient Form of the Coronation of the Kings and Queens of England, we have this: “After the king is thus arrayed, then let the crown be placed upon the king’s head by the Archbishop, and afterwards let a ring be put upon the king’s hand by the Bishop.” In Leland’s _Collectanea_ is a circumstantial account of the coronation of the mother of Henry the Eighth. In describing the ceremonies made use of by the Archbishop: “He next blest her ring and sprinkled on it holy water.” In the ceremony of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, she was wedded to the kingdom with a ring, which she always wore, till the flesh growing over it, it was filed off a little before her decease.[117] On the restoration of Charles the Second of England, measures were adopted to repair, as much as possible, the loss of the ancient regalia of the crown taken from their depository, the Jerusalem Chamber, Westminster, and broken up and sold by the Parliamentarians.[118] The new regalia was constructed by Sir Robert Vyner, the king’s goldsmith. The cost of it was £21,978 9s. 11d. In an account of the coronation of Charles II. of England,[119] we have the following, which comes after a description of the robing and crowning: “Then the master of the jewel house delivered to the Archbishop the ring, who consecrated it after this manner, saying: ‘Bless, O Lord, and sanctify this ring, that thy servant, wearing it, may be sealed with the ring of faith and, by the power of the Highest, be preserved from sin; and let all the blessings, which are found in Holy Scripture, plentifully descend upon him, that whatsoever he shall sanctify may be holy; and whomsoever he blesseth may be blessed. Amen.’ After which he put it upon the fourth finger of the king’s right hand, and said: ‘Receive this ring of kingly dignity, and by it the seal of Catholic Faith, that as this day thou art adorned the head and prince of this kingdom and people, so thou mayest persevere as the author and establisher of Christianity and the Christian faith; that being rich in faith and happy in works, thou mayest reign with Him that is King of kings; to whom be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.’” Think of this imposing ceremony; and then remember the after life and the death of that royal libertine. Better for his country had he never known a British oak for safety. The living tree was dishonored when its foliage shaded him. What can be said in favor of one who squandered on his mistresses seventy thousand pounds sterling, which had been voted by Parliament for a monument to his father? And also to think of the joking excuse, that his father’s grave was unknown!