The Fisherman's Ring

A Pope wears a ring of gold with a costly emerald or other precious gem set in it.

The decrees of the Romish Court consist of bulls and briefs. The latter are issued on less important occasions than the former. Briefs are written upon fine white parchment, with Latin letters; and the seal is what is called "The Fisherman's Ring." It is a steel seal, made in the fashion of a Roman signet, (signatorius annulus.) When a brief is written to any distinguished personage, or has relation to religious or general important matter, the impression from the Fisherman's Ring is said to be made upon a gold surface; in some other cases it appears upon lead; and these seals are generally attached by strings of silk. Impressions of this seal are also made in ink, direct upon the substance on which the brief is written. The author has obtained a sight of an impression of the Fisherman's Ring, attached to a bull or brief in the archives of the Catholic bishopric of New-York, and liberty to copy it for publication. The impression is in ink upon vellum or fine parchment, at the left hand of the extreme lower corner, balancing the signature at the other (lower) corner. We are not aware that a sketch has ever before been made public.

A "Fisherman's Ring" was used at a very early period; and no doubt the original device has been renewed. The reader will observe the antique form of the prow of the boat and oar, as well as the singular flying drapery attached to the head of the figure (see image).

When a pope dies, the cardinal chamberlain or chancellor (camerlengo), accompanied by a large number of the high dignitaries of the Papal Court, comes into the room where the body lies; and the principal or great notary makes an attestation of the circumstance. Then the cardinal chamberlain calls out the name of the deceased pope three times, striking the body each time with a gold hammer; and as no response comes, the chief notary makes another attestation. After this, the cardinal chancellor demands the Fisherman's Ring, and certain ceremonies are performed over it; and then he strikes the ring with the golden hammer, and an officer destroys the figure of Peter by the use of a file. From this moment all the authority and acts of the late pope pass to the College or Conclave of Cardinals.

When a new pope is consecrated, it is always the cardinal chancellor or chamberlain who presents the renewed Fisherman's Ring; and this presentation is accompanied by imposing ceremonies.

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;" 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.