'[2] In 1836 he returned to London, where he formed a rather extensive literary connection, and in 1839 brought out the 'Gift of all Nations,’ an annual which numbered among its contributors Thomas Campbell, Sheridan Knowles, the Countess of Blessington, and Miss Pardoe.

[2] On account of the serious effects on his health of severe night labour, he was two years afterwards compelled for a time to abandon literary work, and he never formed any subsequent connection with a newspaper.

With the exception of a volume of 'Poems' published in 1845, and the 'Young Voyager,’ 1855, a poem descriptive of the search after Sir John Franklin, and intended for juvenile readers, the remaining works of Anderson are of the nature chiefly of popular compilations.

They include an edition of the 'Works of Lord Byron,’ with a life and notes, 1850; the 'Poems and Songs of R. Gilfillan,’ with a memoir, 1851; and a 'Treasury' series, embracing the 'Treasury of Discovery,’ 1853; of the 'Animal World,’ 1854; of 'Manners,’ 1855; of 'History,’ 1856; and of 'Nature,’ 1857.

The 'Scottish Nation,’ though diffuse and ill arranged, displays great industry and a minute acquaintance with Scottish family history; while 'Genealogy and Surnames,’ amid much that is commonplace, contains some curious information not easily accessible elsewhere.