2761. Wedding-rings.—The custom of wearing wedding-rings appears to have taken its rise among the Romans.
2762. Before the celebration of their nuptials, there was a meeting of friends at the house of the lady's father to settle articles of the marriage contract, when it was agreed that the dowry should be paid down on the wedding-day or soon after.
2763. On this occasion, there was commonly a feast, at the conclusion of which the man gave to the woman as a pledge, a ring, which she put on the fourth finger of her left hand, because it was believed that a nerve reached thence to the heart, and a day was then named for the marriage.
2764. Wedding cakes.—Four pounds of fine flour, well dried, four pounds of fresh butter, two pounds of loaf sugar, a quarter of a pound of mace pounded and sifted fine, the same of nutmegs.