_The Ring Finger_ (Vol. v., p. 114.).--I allow all that has been said,
though the Rubric in our Prayer Book directs the ring to be placed _on_
the fourth finger, and held there, &c. Still I have read of the earliest
custom being, after repeating the words "With this ring I thee wed,"
&c., on coming to "In the name of the Father," to place the ring on the
top of the thumb; "and of the Son," to place it on the top of the
forefinger; "and of the Holy Ghost," to place it on the top of the third
finger; _and_, on repeating the word "amen," to put the ring _down_ over
the fourth finger; thereby "ratifying, and confirming the same." This
seems the most _serious_ conclusion of the matter.