As George was not fit for service, I went as his substitute with my father and John in company with a Surveyor to examine the ancient boundaries of some Wood lots which belonged to my Grandfather formerly. It was a tedious business. We took luncheon in rustic style by the side of a clear brook and returned in the afternoon quite fatigued. Antoine killed the largest black snake I ever saw, it measured nearly six feet in length. My experiment today did not give me much anxiety to repeat it. Indeed it seems questionable whether the possession of property of this kind does not create much more plague than profit. Upon which I had some discussion with my father in the evening.