Shakepeare's Signet Ring

We have mentioned Shakspeare's signet-ring. It is of gold and was found on the sixteenth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and ten, by a laborer's wife upon the surface of the mill-close, adjoining Stratford churchyard. The weight is twelve penny-weights; it bears the initials W. S.; and was purchased by Mr. R. B. Wheeler (who has published a Guide to Stratford-upon-Avon) for thirty-six shillings, the current value of the gold. It is evidently a gentleman's ring of the time of Elizabeth; and the crossing of the central lines of the W. with the oblique direction of the lines of the S. exactly agree with the character of that day. There is a connection or union of the letters by an ornamental string and tassels, known commonly as a "true lover's knot"--the upper bow or flourish of which forms the resemblance of a heart. On the porch of Charlcote House near Stratford, erected in the early part of Elizabeth's reign by the very Sir. Thomas Lucy said to have persecuted Shakspeare for deer stealing, the letters T. L. are surrounded in a manner precisely similar. Allowing that this was Shakspeare's ring, it is the only existing article which originally belonged to him.

Singularly enough, a man named William Shakspeare was at work near the spot when this ring was picked up. Little doubt can be entertained that it belonged to the poet and is probably the one he lost before his death and was not to be found when his will was executed, the word hand being substituted for seale in the original copy of that document. The only other person at Stratford having the same initials and likely to possess such a seal was William Smith, but he used one having a different device, as may be seen from several indentures preserved amongst the records of the corporation. Halliwell believes in the authenticity of this relic. Mr. Wheeler, its owner, says: "Though I purchased it upon the same day for 36s. (the current value of the gold) the woman had sufficient time to destroy the precious oerugo, by having it unnecessarily immersed in aquafortis, to ascertain and prove the metal, at a silversmith's shop, which consequently restored its original color."}}}

In the Life of Haydon the painter, we have the following letter from him to Keats, (March 1, 1818:) "My dear Keats, I shall go mad! In a field at Stratford-upon-Avon, that belonged to Shakspeare, they have found a gold ring and seal, with the initials W. S. and a true lover's knot between. If this is not Shakspeare's, whose is it?--a true lover's knot! I saw an impression to-day, and am to have one as soon as possible: as sure as you breathe and that he was the first of beings, the seal belonged to him.

"O Lord! B. R. HAYDON."