_Hand giving the Blessing_ (Vol. iii, p. 477.).--In blessing the people,
the clergy of the Church of Rome raise the thumb and two forefingers,
and close the others, to represent the three persons of the Trinity; and
they give this some divine origin; but it is really an adoption of a
pagan symbol in use long before the introduction of Christianity, not
only by the Romans, but the Egyptians also. In Akerman's _Archæological
Index_, p. 116., is an engraving of a silver plate of Roman workmanship,
in which the figures representing Minerva and Juno have their hands
elevated with the thumb and finger so disposed, and the figure of Vesta
has the left hand in the same position. I wish some of your
correspondents who are familiar with the classics and Egyptian
antiquities, would further illustrate the origin of this curious and
ancient custom, which hitherto has been regarded as originating with the
Church of Rome only.