Buthemakesallhiscalculationswiththenicestprecision，andgoesdartinginandoutamongaBroadwayconfusionofbusycraftwiththeeasyconfidenceoftheeducatedhackman。Henevermakesamistake。
Sometimeswegoflyingdownthegreatcanalsatsuchagaitthatwecangetonlythemerestglimpsesintofrontdoors，andagain，inobscurealleysinthesuburbs，weputonasolemnitysuitedtothesilence，themildew，thestagnantwaters，theclingingweeds，thedesertedhousesandthegenerallifelessnessoftheplace，andmovetothespiritofgravemeditation。
Thegondolierisapicturesquerascalforallhewearsnosatinharness，noplumedbonnet，nosilkentights。Hisattitudeisstately;heislitheandsupple;allhismovementsarefullofgrace。Whenhislongcanoe，andhisfinefigure，toweringfromitshighperchonthestern，arecutagainsttheeveningsky，theymakeapicturethatisverynovelandstrikingtoaforeigneye。
Wesitinthecushionedcarriage—bodyofacabin，withthecurtainsdrawn，andsmoke，orread，orlookoutuponthepassingboats，thehouses，thebridges，thepeople，andenjoyourselvesmuchmorethanwecouldinabuggyjoltingoverourcobble—stonepavementsathome。Thisisthegentlest，pleasantestlocomotionwehaveeverknown。
Butitseemsqueer——eversoqueer——toseeaboatdoingdutyasaprivatecarriage。Weseebusinessmencometothefrontdoor，stepintoagondola，insteadofastreetcar，andgooffdowntowntothecounting—room。