—An extract from Mr. Bellenden Ker's account of the origin and meaning of these words, will answer M. W. B.'s question in the affirmative.
DUCKS AND DRAKES.
"As the boys play by skimming a flat stone along the surface of the water; so as to cause it to make as many bounds or ricochets as the skimmer's strength and dexterity can enforce. The superiority, in the play, is decided by the greatest number of times the stone touches and bounds upon the surface, in consequence of the way it is slung from the hand of the performer. D'hach's aen der reyckes q.e. the hazard [event] is upon the touches; the issue of the game depends upon the number of bounds [separate touchings] made on the surface of the water. When we say, he has made ducks and drakes of his money, it is merely in the sense of, he has thrown it away childishly and hopelessly; and the stone is the boy's throw for a childish purpose, and sinks at the end of its career, to be lost in the water."—Essay on the Archæology of our Popular Phrases and Nursery Rhymes, vol. ii., p. 140.
C. FORBES.
Temple.
John Holywood, the Mathematician (Vol. iii., p. 389.).
—I do not observe that any one has replied to the Query of DR. RIMBAULT, as to the birth-place of John Holywood, the Mathematician. I presume he means Johannes a Sacrobosco, who died in Paris A.D. 1244, and was the author of the treatise De Sphærâ and other works. In Harris's History of the County of Down: Dublin, 1744., p. 260., a claim to the honour of his birth is made on behalf of the town of Holywood, about four miles from Belfast, where he is said to have been a brother of the order of the Franciscans, who had a friary there. Some of the sculptured stones of the building may still be seen in the walls of the ruined church which stands upon its site; and its lands form part of the estate of Lord Dufferin and Clandeboy.
J. EMERSON TENNENT.
London.