XXVlil 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 b 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 S r Frauncis Bacon, Of the proficience & advauncem 1 

 of Learninge divine and Humane to be printed bothe in 

 Englishe & Lattin. xij d . And again, Sept. 19 :&amp;lt; Mr. Ockold. 

 Entred for his copie vnder the handes of my Lo. Bysshoop of 

 London, and the wardens. A booke aswell in Latyn as in 

 Englishe called The second book of frauncis Bacon, of the 

 proficience and Advauncement of learninge Divine and 

 humane. xij d . 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 



b For an opportunity of consulting these I am indebted to the kind 

 ness of Mr. Greenhill. 



