Carabelli's Tolandiana [Gen-052]

Colm Toolan

Giancarlo Carabelli (1939-2012), as a historian of philosophical thought and a scholar of Enlightenment and 18th-century culture in its multiple manifestations, collated a detailed bibliography of the works of John Toland, which is accepted as the ultimate resource.

Carabelli, Giancarlo. Tolandiana: Materiali bibliografici per lo studio dell’opera e della fortuna di John Toland, (1670-1722). 1st ed., La Nuova Italia, 1975.

Carabelli catalogued not only Toland's work but also the work of all those - and there have been many over the centuries - who railed against him or wrote about him. 

In an effort to illustrate Toland's productivity, his wide range of subject matter and his command of various languages, I have borrowed from Carabelli's index to create the following lists. The interested scholar is referred to the original work for detailed discussions of works, versions of works, responses thereto etc. etc. There is, I suspect, no better source of Tolandiana. 

Disclosure: As an exception to the general no AI rule of this site (see Cookie policy), tools such as Google Lens, Google Translate and OpenL.io were used to access and to understand Carabelli's original Italian texts.

Carabelli's Contents

Carabelli's Tolandiana is structured as follows:

  • Preface
  • SECTION I - Works by Toland planned and/or unpublished
    • 1.1 Titles of works planned but not published [n]or available in manuscript form. Titles mentioned in published works up to 1726
    • 1.2 Titles of works mentioned in Toland's manuscripts and not found either in manuscript form or in published form
    • 1.3 Unpublished manuscripts in 1970
  • SECTION II - Works published up to 1726
    • (a) Works by Toland or attributed to Toland published up to 1726
    • (b) Major works published in Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Germany up to 1726, containing references or relating to Toland or his works
  • SECTION III - Works published after 1726
    • (a) Works by Toland published after 1726
    • (b) Some of the most significant works on Toland published in Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Germany after 1726

  • SECTION IV - Indices
    • Index (a) Works by Toland or attributed to Toland
    • Index (b) Works on Toland

Carballi's Bibliographical Entries

Th[e] description[s are] organized according to the following internal subdivisions (they are included only when they contain information, for example, the author's name, not deducible from the previous subdivisions).

  1. Title. The original title reproduces the Roman and italic script
  2. Collation. The format, total number of leaves, pagination [etc]. 
  3. Content. Description of the work's contents according to shelfmarks and pages
  4. Current titles.
  5. Copy. The library from which the copy of the work comes is indicated.
  6. Author. This section discusses issues related to the attribution of the work.
  7. Publication date. 
  8. Note. On the subject and the events of composition and publication of the work.
  9. Manuscripts. Autograph manuscripts relating to the work.
  10. Other editions and/or translations. 

Works by or attributed to Toland, by type and year

Source: Carabelli, pp 393 - 398

Works authored by Toland

Title [Editor's translation, 2025]YearCarabelli - Index [Editor, 2025]
Christianity not mysterious 1696 
Systems of Divinity exploded 1696Title of work (MS?).
An Apology for Mr. Toland 1697 
Christianity restored 1697 
A Defense of Mr. Toland 1697 
A Lady's Religion 1697Prefatory Epistle, signed "Adeisidaemon".
The Life of John Milton 1698 
The Militia reformed 1698 
Amyntor 1699 
Clito 1700Preface and verses.
Anglia libera 1701 
Limitations for the next foreign Successor 1701 
The Postman, announced at, 170178, 98;  advert on [denying Toland's intention of standing for Parliament], 1720 (a), 218.
Propositions for uniting the two East-India Companies 1701 
Reasons for addressing his Majesty to invite into England their Highnesses the Electress Dowager and Electoral Prince of Hanover ... Reasons for attaining and abjuring the pretended Prince of Wales 1702 
Vindicius liberius [Vindicus the free], 1702 
Letters to Serena 1704 
An Account of the Courts of Prussia and Hanover1705Draft expanded version 1.1.7, 4.
A Defense of her Majesty's Administration 1705 
The Memorial of the State of England 1705 
Priesthood withouth Priestcraft 1705 
Some plain Observations recommended to the Consideration of every honest English-Man 1705 
Adeisidaemon and Origines Judaicae 1709 
The Jacobitism, Perjury, and Popery of High-Church Priests 1710 
The Judgment of King James the First 1710 
The Description of Epsom 1711That includes Letters out of Pliny (translation from Pliny the Younger).
High-Church display'd 1711 
Cicero illustratus 1712 
Her Majesty's Reasons for creating the Electoral Prince of Hanover a Peer 1712 
Proposals for Cicero's Works 1712 
An Appeal to honest People against wicked Priests 1713Signed "Hierophilus".
Dunkirk or Dover 1713 
The Liberties of Europe, and the Peace of the World 1713 
A new Gospel discovered 1713 
Acts of Parliaments no infallible Security 1714 
The Art of restoring 1714 
Characters of the Court of Hanover 1714 
The great Mystery laid open 1714 
The Reasons and Necessity of the Duke of Cambridge's Coming 1714 
Reasons for naturalizing the Jews 1714 
The royal Line of the high and mighty  George1714 
Remarques critiques sur le system de Monsr. Leibnitz [Critical remarks on the system of Monsr. Leibnitz]1716(In Histoire critique de la république des lettres) 1716(a).
The second Part of the State Anatomy 1717Signed "Patricola".
State-Anatomy of Great Britain 1717Signed "Patricola".
The Destiny of Rome 1718Signed  "Χ.Ζ.".
Nazarenus 1718 
Two Problems concerning the Jewish Notion and Religion (in Nazarenus), 1718 
An Act for the better securing the Dependency of Ireland 1720 
Pantheisticon 1720 
Reasons why an Act for the better securing the Dependency of Ireland should not pass 1720 
A short Essay upon lying 1720 
Tetradymus 1720 
On the South Sea  Scheme 1721Verses.
Conjectura verosimilis de prima typographiae inventione  [A plausible conjecture about the first invention of typography]1722(In Annales typogra phici by Michel Mattaire).
An impartial History of Michael Servetus 1724 
Another Memorial for the Earl of ****1726[Another Memorial for Robert Harley, 4th Earl of Oxford].
A Catalogue  of Books mentioned by the Fathers 1726 
Catalogus vocum quarundam Armoricarum quas Hibernicus esse deprehendi  [Catalogue of certain Armorican words which I have found to be Irish]1726 
A Collection of several Pieces of Mr. John Toland 1726Edited by Pierre Desmaizeaux, [in two volumes].
De genre, loco, et temporis mortis Iordani Bruni Nolani [ Of the kind, place, and time of the death of Jordan Bruno Nola]1726 
The fabulous Death of Atilius Regulus  1726 
A Memorial for the Earl of ***  1726[A Memorial for Robert Harley, 4th Earl of Oxford].
A Memorial presented to a Minister of State (in A Collection of several Pieсеs) 1726 
A new Description of Epsom  1726 
Physic without Physicians  1726 
The primitive Constitution of the Christian Church  1726 
A Project of a Journal  1726 
The Scheme of a national Bank  1726 
The secret History of the South-Sea Scheme  1726 
Some Letters of Pliny   1726 
A Specimen of the Armorican Language  1726 
A Specimen of the critical History of the Celtic Religion  1726 
Vocabularium Armorico-Hibernicum   [Armorican-Irish Vocabulary]1726 
Proposal for regulating the newspapers 1936 
A Persuasive to frequent Communion.   [See Carabelli 1752 (b)].

Aliases for various works by Toland

Title [Editor's translation, 2025]YearCarabelli - Index [Editor, 2025]
Reasons for attaining and abjuring the pretended Prince of Wales.  1702See Reasons for addressing... 1702 (a).
Gallus aretalogus. 1707See Oratio Philippoca 1707 (a).
Origines Judaicae [The Origins of the Jews]1709See Adeisidaemon 1709 (a).
Letters out of Pliny. 1711See The Description of Epsom 1711 (a).
Hypathia1720See Tetradymus 1720 (a).
Mangonentes.  1720See Tetradymus 1720 (a).
Clidophorus. 1720See Tetradymus 1720 (a).
Hodegus1720See Tetradymus 1720 (a).

Works co-authored by Toland

Title [Editor's translation, 2025]YearCarabelli - Index [Editor, 2025]
The Danger of mercenary Parliaments 1698By Toland and Anthony Ashley Cooper, third Earl of Shaftesbury.
The Art of Governing by Parties 1701By Toland and Anthony Ashley Cooper, third Earl of Shaftesbury.
Paradoxes of State 1702By Toland and Anthony Ashley Cooper, third Earl of Shaftesbury.

Works (falsely) attributed to Toland

Title [Editor's translation, 2025]YearCarabelli - Index [Editor, 2025]
The Tribe of Levi 1691Attributed to Toland but by John Tutchin.
An Argument showing that a standing Army is inconsistent .1697Attributed to Toland, but by John Trenchard, perhaps with the collaboration of Walter Moyle.
A short History of standing Armies 1698Attributed to Toland, but by John Trenchard.
The true born Englishman 1701Attributed to Toland but by Daniel Defoe.
The Agreement of the Customs of the East-Indians with those of the Jews 1705By M. de la Créquinière, translation attributed to Toland.
A Letter concerning Enthusiasm 1708Attributed to Toland but by Anthony Ashley Cooper, third Earl of Shaftesbury.
A Discourse of Free-Thinking 1713Attributed to Toland but by Anthony Collins.
A Letter from an Arabian Physician 1713[Possibly by Collins, and even stolen by Toland - see Carabelli p 168]
A Memorial to Protestants on the fifth of November 1713Attributed to Toland but by White Kennett.
XXV Letters by Pliny the Younger 1726Translation of Pliny the Younger.
A Memorial concerning England in 1714  1726Work not by Toland.

Letters to and from Toland

Title [Editor's translation, 2025]YearCarabelli - Index [Editor, 2025]
Bibliothèque universelle, letter in French to 1693 
Two Essays sent in a Letter from Oxford 1695Signed "L. P. Master of Arts".
A Letter to a Member of Parliament, shewing that a Restraint on the Press is inconsistent with the Protestant Religion 1698 
Letters to Serena1704[Listed above in the published form]
Lettre d'un Anglois à un Hollandois au zujet du docteur Sacherevell [ Letter from an Englishman to a Dutchman on the subject of Doctor Sacheverell]1710 
A Letter from the Author of the State-Anatomy 1717 
A Letter from Mr. Toland to Master Richard Bentley (in The Spy, No. XIII) 1721 
A Letter concerning the Roman Education  1726 
Letters  1726Letters from and to Toland.
A manuscript Letter of Mr. Toland, written in French (on Giordano Bruno) 1735 (b), 
Copy of my Letter to the Baron de Hobendorf about the Gospel  1.3.1, MS.
Deux lettres de Monsieur Tolandus au sujet de Giordano Bruno et ses ouvrages  [Two letters from Monsieur Toland on the subject of Giordano Bruno and his works] 1.3.10, MS,
Two letters  1.1.11, work project.
A Letter about Error  1.2.1.5, work title MS.
Letters in French on Giordano Bruno,  MS.

Works edited by Toland

Title [Editor's translation, 2025]YearCarabelli - Index [Editor, 2025]
The Works of John Milton 1697Edition.
A complete Collection of the historical, political and miscellaneous Works of John Milton 1698Edition.
Discourses concerning Government by Algernon Sidney 1698Edition.
An Inquiry concerning Virtue by Anthony Ashley Cooper, third Earl of Shaf tesbury 1699Edition.
Memoirs of Denzil Lord Holles 1699Edition and introduction.
Memoirs of Lieutenant General Ludlow, the third and last Part 1699Edition.
The Oceana of James Harrington 1700Edition and biography of Harrington.
A Collection of Letters by General Monk 1714Edition.
Letters from the right honorable the late Earl of Shaftesbury to Robert Molesworth 1721Edition and introduction, signed "Z.Z.".

Works translated by Toland

Title [Editor's translation, 2025]YearCarabelli - Index [Editor, 2025]
A Discourse upon Coins 1696By B. Davanzati Bostichi, translated by Toland. 
A Treatise of the Causes of Incredulity 1697By Jean Leclerc, translated by Toland.
The Fables of Aesop 1704Translation [to English] of C. G. Bachet's and Pierre de Boissat jr.['s translations  to French] and introduction by Toland.
The Ordinances, Statutes, and Privileges of the Royal Academy of Prussia 1705Translation, introduction, and notes by Toland.
Socinianism truly stated1705By Jean Leclerc, translation  and introduction by Toland.
The Declaration recently published in favour of his Protestant Subjects by the Elector Palatine 1707Translation and introduction by Toland.
Oratio Philippica  / A Philippick Oration1707By Matthäus Schiner. Latin edition, notes, introduction, and English translation (A Philippick Oration) by Toland; the second Latin edition (1709) contains in the appendix Gallus areta logas.
Four Treatises concerning the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Mahometans 1712At least partly translated from various authors.
A. Letter against Popery 1712By Sophie Charlotte of Prussia. Translation and dedicatory letter signed "Londat" by Toland
Spaccio della Bestia trionfante [Dealing of the Triumphant Beast]1713By Giordano Bruno, translation by Toland.
The Art of canvassing at Elections 1714By Qunitus  Tullius Cicero. Ttranslation and Introduction by Toland [who, according to the records of the publisher Linot, received £5 7s 6d on the 12th November 1714 for this work].
The Funeral Elogy ... of Princess Sophia 1714By J. F. Cramer. Toland translated the Elogium and is the author of the dedication, and of the Characters of the King, Prince, and Princess of Wales.
Verses of Lucan 1721Translation.
An Account of Jordano Bruno's Book of the infinite Universe 1726By Giordano Bruno, translated by Toland.
A Psalm before Sermon, in praise of Asinity By Giordano Bruno, translation by Toland, [referenced in 1958(b)].
Translation of Bruno's Asse, 2 Dialogues  By Giordano Bruno, translated by Toland. 1.2.1.8, 1944 (b) and 1958 (b).

Toland's Manuscripts, Drafts and Project Ideas

Title [Editor's translation, 2025]YearCarabelli - Index [Editor, 2025]
Advice to the Whigs against the Time they are next in Power  1.1.8, draft work.
Amyntor canonicus  
Bruno's Sermon  1.2.1.10, title of MS translation from Giordano Bruno.
Brutus, or the History of Liberty and Tyranny  1.1.3, draft of a work.
Certain Sayings attributed to Christ and not found in the received Gospels  1.3.5. MS.
Christianity Judaique et Mabometan [Judaic and Mohammedan Christianity] MS.
Christopaedia  1.2.3, MS title of work.
The Church by Law establish'd . 1.2.2, MS title of work.
Cicero, edition of the works of,  1.1.13, projected work.
The Cloud and Pillar  1.2.1.6, title of work MS.
The Creed not apostolick  1.2.1.9, work title MS.
The critical History of the Celtic Religion & Learning  1.1.15, draft work.
De perfidia principum by Matthäus Schiner  [On the Treachery of Princes by Matthäus Schiner] 1.1.10, translation project.
De republica Mosaica  [On the Mosaic Republic] 1.1.12, project of work.
A Description of the western Islands of Scotland by M. Martin 1.3.8 and 1.3.9, MS notes by Toland.
Discourso circa il stato degl'hebrei [Speech about the state of the Jew] By Simone Luzzato  1.1.14, draft translation.
Dissertatio de veterum lingua Gallorum [Dissertation on the ancient language of the Gauls] 1.1.1, draft work.
Dissertations diverses de Monsieur Tolandus [Various dissertations by Mr. Toland] MS.
A  distinct Account of my Religion  1.1.16, project of work.
Essai d'un Sisteme Nouveau concernant la Nature des Etres spirituels  [Attempt at a New System Concerning the Nature of Spiritual Beings] MS.
History of Socrates  1.1.5, draft work.
History of the Canon  1.2.1.4, work title MS.
History of the Canon of the New Testament  1.1.4, draft work.
Life of Jordano Bruno  12.1.1, work title MS
Livius vindicatus [Livius avenged] MS.
Mahomethan Christianity,  Title MS.
Memoriale all'Elettore Palantino [ Memorial to the Elector Palatine] Draft of, 1.3.5, MS.
Note sulla lingua cinese [Notes on the Chinese language] 1.3.2, MS.
Observations touching the Rise and Growth of Christianity  1.1.17, draft work.
On reading Mr. Row's Fair  1.3.4, verses, MS.
L'original du passage de Pline [The original passage from Pliny] MSS.
Piece of the Roman Education  1.2.1.3, 6 title of work MS.
Pastoral Poetry  1.37, MS.
Project of a work in three parts  1.1.2.
Project of a weekly magazine  1.1.16.
Projet d'une Dissertation sur la Colonne de Feu et de Nuée des Israelites [Project of a Dissertation on the Pillar of Fire and Cloud of the Israelites] MS.
Hungarian Protestants,  Work about, 1.2.5.
Revelation no Rule  1.2.1.2, work title MS.
Synesius,  Draft work on, 1.1.18.
Superstition unmask'd  1.2.4, title MS.
Theologaster  1.1.9, draft.
Tolandi peregrinans  1.2.17, title of work MS.
Treatise concerning Tradition  1.1.19, draft.
Vocabulary of Latin military terms  1. 3.3, MS.