Bidspirit auction | Reasons for Naturalizing the Jews

Reasons for Naturalizing the Jews – Defense of the Jews by English Philosopher John Toland – London, 1714 – Proponent of Emancipation / A Confutation of the Reasons for Naturalizing the Jews – London, 1715 – Two Volumes Bound Together - Volume comprising two works – an apologetical work in defense of the Jews by John Toland, and an anti-Semitic rebuttal of Toland's arguments: 1. Reasons for Naturalizing the Jews in Great Britain and Ireland, on the Same Foot with All Other Nations, [by John Toland]. London: J. Roberts, 1714. English. Apologetic work published anonymously, enumerating in detail the diverse advantages of granting full equality of rights to the Jews of Britain and Ireland. This is viewed as an exceptional work in the early 18th century England, where a fiercely anti-Semitic environment prevailed. Apart from Toland, only the philosopher John Locke publicly defended the Jews' entitlement to full equality of rights, and even he, despite calling for tolerance towards Jews and Muslims, hoped to eventually convert them to Christianity. In the third chapter of this work, Toland writes: ”…tis manifest almost at first sight, that the common reasons for a General Naturalization, are as strong in behalf of the Jews, as of any other people whatsoever. They encrease the number of hands for labor and defence, of bellies and backs for consumtion of food and raiment, and of brains for invention and contrivance, no less than any nation” (p. 6). [7] leaves, 58 pages. Light stains throughout the work. Wear, stains and minor punctures to last leaf, minutely affecting text. For more information on the work and its author, see: • Isaac E. Barzilay, ”John Toland's Borrowings from Simone Luzzatto: Luzzatto's Discourse on the Jews of Venice (1638) the Major Source of Toland's Writing on the Naturalization of the Jews in Great Britain and Ireland (1714).” Jewish Social Studies, vol. 31, no. 2, 1969, pp. 75-81. • Pierre Lurbe, ”John Toland and the Naturalization of the Jews.” Eighteenth-Century Ireland / Iris an Dá Chultúr, vol. 14, 1999, pp. 37-48. 2. A Confutation of the Reasons for Naturalizing the Jews: Containing the Crimes, Frauds, and Insolencies, for which They Were Convicted and Punished in former Reigns, by an unknown author. London: Edm. Powell, 1715. The only known work published in order to refute Toland's weighty arguments in Reasons for Naturalizing the Jews. This work warns that if Jews are granted full equality of rights, the newly naturalized Jews will attempt to encroach on the rights and freedoms of the Christian citizens of England and Ireland, and take over the stock exchange. Furthermore, the author argues, naturalization of the Jews will discourage them from adopting Christianity. [3] leaves, 39 pages. Good condition. Stains. Uneven trimming. Two works in one volume. Approx. 19 cm. New binding. Provenance: Collection of Mozes Heiman Gans.