Gavazzi, who tilts at every matter which may appear mystically Catholic, just as an excited bull runs at a red mantle, says: “The Fisherman’s Ring now in use is most valuable, and would hardly square with the simplicity of Peter;”[132] and he remarks, in reference to the present Pope: “This man has on one of his fingers a splendid ring, composed of diamonds and pearls of great price, and this ring of $8,000 is called the Fisherman’s Ring; it symbolizes the ring of poor St. Peter, which cost, perhaps, two cents.” Gavazzi must be in error. A ring like that of the “Fisherman’s,” subject to be destroyed on the death of a pope, would not be surrounded by brilliants; and the fact that this ring is used as a signet to impress a gold or leaden surface, or even vellum, carries with it the conviction that it would not be encircled with precious stones and pearls; for, independent of the chance of injury, they would impede an impression. It is very possible that the official ring, bearing an emerald, and which a pope wears as Bishop of Rome, might be further ornamented. We have been favored with a sight of a ring used by the present Archbishop of New-York, which is composed of an extra large oblong emerald of beautiful color, surrounded by brillants. This ring is worn on the fourth finger of the right hand. Horace Walpole refers to his friend Mr. Chute’s playfully using an expression which couples itself with the fisherman’s ring: “Mr. Chute has received a present of a diamond mourning ring from a cousin; he calls it _l’annello del Piscatore_. Mr. Chute, who was unmarried, meant that his cousin was _fishing_ for his estate.” [Illustration: (Pope Pius II. Ring Laid Flat)] [Illustration: (Pope Pius II. Ring Two Views)] §7. There is a massive ring extant, chased with the arms of Pope Pius the Second.[133] It is of brass, and has been thickly gilt. It is set with a topaz, the surface of which has lost its polish. On the hoop of the ring are chased the arms of Pope Pius the Second, of the family of Picolomini, the papal tiara, and this inscription, _Papa Pio_. The stone is set in a massive square facet, carried up to a considerable height above the finger; and on each of the four sides is placed, in relief, one of the four beasts of the Revelation, which were used to typify the Evangelists. Pope Pius the Second is better known by his literary name of Æneas Sylvius. His works, which include a History of Europe, a History of Bohemia and a long series of letters, have passed through several editions. He was elected Pope in 1418, and died in 1464. This ring is considerably larger in size than the rings usually found buried with bishops, and which were probably what they received on their consecration. It must have been intended to have been worn over a glove. It seems to have been a state ring worn on one of those occasions when all Christendom came to receive his benediction.