But I read his resume of the year's doings, aspects and prospects from Japan to Hudson's Bay with lively interest and valuable instruction.

He seldom presides himself as chairman, but leaves that post of honor to be filled, if possible, by the citizen of some foreign country, if he can speak English tolerably.

This gives a more cosmopolitan aspect to the assembly.
But he himself always makes what in Parliament would be called "a financial statement," without the reference to money matters.

He sums up the significance of all the great events of the year, bearing upon human progress in general, and upon each specific enterprise in particular.

With palatial mansions, parks, and farms great and small, scattered through several counties, he is the greatest radical in England.