I had the honor, on this occasion, of addressing an audience for the first time in the Old World.
Many others spoke briefly.

There were too many speakers; no one had time to warm up to the point of eloquence.
Our system of conventions, of two or three days' duration, with long speeches discussing pointed and radical resolutions, is quite unknown in England.

Their meetings consist of one session of a few hours, into which they crowd all the speakers they can summon.

They have a few tame, printed resolutions, on which there can be no possible difference of opinion, with the names of those who are to speak appended.

Each of these is read and a few short speeches are made, that may or may not have the slightest reference to the resolutions, which are then passed.
The last is usually one of thanks to some lord or member of the House of Commons, who may have condescended to preside at the meeting or do something for the measure in Parliament.