178 
JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
but Dowel and Dobet(-ter); moreover, the name Schep (Shepherd) 
was probably suggested by the second line of the poem — 
"I shope ine in shroudes, as I a shepe wore." 
And, to match Trewman, we have further on a certain Tomme 
Trewetonge. 
The author was probably born at Cleobury Mortimer, in 
Shropshire, about 1332, and wrote his poem in 1362; enlarged 
and improved it in 1377, just after the accession of Richard II.; 
and again expanded it at a later period. These three forms of the 
poem, which have been called respectively the A-text, the B-text, 
and the C-text, are being edited by Mr. W. W. Skeat for the 
Early English Text Society.'^' That gentleman has also edited the 
former part of the poem. Piers Plowman proper, with an excellent 
introduction, notes, and glossary. (Oxford: Clarendon Press Series.) 
Eor the complete poem, with Piers Plowman's Crede, see Wright's 
edition, 2 vols. (Library of Old Authors.) 
WILL AND LAW. 
ABSTKACT OF PAPER BY REV. J. ERSKINE RISK, M.A. 
(Read 22nd Feb., 1872.) 
Question stated : Are Will and Law in harmony or not ? In order 
to ascertain this, inquiry must be made. Is Will an independent 
unreasoning power, or a reasonable power? The question solved 
by distinguishing between mental powers and susceptibilities, by a 
just analysis of motive and will, and by forming a clear notion of 
the process involved in the formation of a will, e.g., of self-control. 
A course being thus marked out intermediate between the theory 
of the believers in absolute free will, and the believers in absolute 
necessity, the errors of the two schools were pointed out. Causation 
being thus indispensable to every exercise of power, the point of 
connection with Law was established. The essential harmony of 
Will and Law involved in the fact of free will being a reasonable, 
and not like a mere impulse, an independent unreasoning power. 
Illustration from a fully formed character. Uses of the doctrine in 
education, and in the general government of society. 
* The yearly subscription to this society is only one guinea. Members of 
the Plymouth Institution may effectually promote the study of eaily English 
by becoming subscribers. 
