Chapter CCXCIV

[The game of water-skimming is of high antiquity, being
mentioned by Julius Pollux, and also by Eustathius, in his
commentary upon Homer. Brand quotes a curious passage from
Minucius Felix; but all antiquaries seem to have overlooked
the very curious notice in Higgins' adaptation of Junius's
'Nomenclator,' 8vo, London, 1585, p. 299, where it is called
"a duck and a drake, and a halfe-penie cake." Thus it is
probable that lines like the following were employed in this
game as early as 1585; and it may be that the last line has
recently furnished a hint to Mathews in his amusing song in
'Patter _v_. Clatter.']

A duck and a drake,
A nice barley-cake,
With a penny to pay the old baker;
A hop and a scotch,
Is another notch,
Slitherum, slatherum, take her.