XXVi11 PREFACE, 
Articles or Considerations touching the Union of the Kingdoms of 
England and Scotland, in view of the Commission appointed 
to meet in October for the discussion of the question. A 
draft of a proposed proclamation touching his Majesty’s style 
was also prepared at the same time, but not used. Just as 
the Commission had commenced its sittings, the Solicitorship 
became vacant; but Bacon was again passed over, and Dode- 
ridge appointed. 
Still his professional occupations allowed him less leisure 
than ever, and when on the 24th of December the next 
meeting of Parliament was postponed till October, 1605, 
Bacon foresaw that, if he intended to finish his work on the 
Advancement of Learning, he must make good use of the 
interval. Mr. Spedding has pointed out that the first book 
was printed in all probability before the second was ready 
for the press, and that the second book shows marks of haste 
both in printing and composition. The entries in the books 
of the Stationers’ Company” indicate that his first intention 
was to have issued the work both in Latin and English. 
Under the date of Aug. 19, 1605, we find, ‘Mr. Richard 
Ockould. Entred for his Copies vnder the handes of the B: 
of London & Mr. Feild warden, The firste parte of the Twoo 
bookes of St Frauncis Bacon, Of the proficience & advauncemt 
of Learninge divine and Humane to be printed bothe in 
Englishe & Lattin. xij4.’ And again, Sept. 19: ‘Mr. Ockold. 
Entred for his copie vnder the handes of my Lo, Bysshoop of 
Londofi. and the wardens. A booke aswell in Latyn as in 
Englishe called The second book of frauncis Bacof. of the 
proficience and Advauncement of learninge Divine and 
humane. xij4.’ We might almost infer from these two en- 
tries that Bacon in the course of the summer had resolved 
to issue the first book separately, either from inability to 
finish the second, or for some other reason, and that he 
afterwards changed his mind and printed the second very 
> For an opportunity of consulting these I am indebted to the kind- 
ness of Mr. Greenhill, 
eae 
