that it hath begun, and the first that I have seen it.  To-day was acted the second part of “The Siege of Rhodes.”  We staid a very great while for the King and the Queen of Bohemia.  And by the breaking of a board over our heads, we had a great deal of dust fell into the ladies’ necks and the men’s hair, which made good sport.  The King being come, the scene opened; which indeed is very fine and magnificent, and well acted, all but the Eunuch, who was so much out that he was hissed off the stage.  Home and wrote letters to my Lord at sea, and so to bed.

3rd.  To Westminster to Mr. Edward Montagu about business of my Lord’s, and so to the Wardrobe, and there dined with my Lady, who is in some mourning for her brother, Mr. Saml.  Crew, who died yesterday of the spotted fever.  So home through Duck Lane’ to inquire for some Spanish books, but found none that pleased me.  So to the office, and that being done to Sir W. Batten’s with the Comptroller, where we sat late talking and disputing with Mr. Mills the parson of our parish.  This day my Lady Batten and my wife were at the burial of a daughter of Sir John Lawson’s, and had rings for themselves and their husbands.  Home and to bed.

4th.  At home all the morning; in the afternoon I went to the Theatre, and there I saw “Claracilla” (the first time I ever saw it), well acted.  But strange to see this house, that used to be so thronged, now empty since the Opera begun; and so will continue for a while, I believe.  Called at my father’s, and there I heard that my uncle Robert—­[Robert Pepys, of Brampton, who died on the following day.]—­continues to have his fits of stupefaction every day for 10 or 12 hours together.  From thence to the Exchange at night, and then went with my uncle Wight to the Mitre and were merry, but he takes it very ill that my father would go out of town to Brampton on this occasion and would not tell him of it, which I endeavoured to remove but could not.  Here Mr. Batersby the apothecary was, who told me that if my uncle had the emerods—­[Haemorrhoids or piles.]—­(which I think he had) and that now they are stopped, he will lay his life that bleeding behind by leeches will cure him, but I am resolved not to meddle in it.  Home and to bed.

5th.  At home, and in the afternoon to the office, and that being done all went to Sir W. Batten’s and there had a venison pasty, and were very merry.  At night home and to bed.

6th.  Waked this morning with news, brought me by a messenger on purpose, that my uncle Robert is dead, and died yesterday; so I rose sorry in some respect, glad in my expectations in another respect.  So I made myself ready, went and told my uncle Wight, my Lady, and some others thereof, and bought me a pair of boots in St. Martin’s, and got myself ready, and then to the Post House and set out about eleven and twelve o’clock, taking the messenger with me that came to me, and so we rode and got well by nine o’clock to Brampton, where I found my father well.  My uncle’s corps in a coffin standing upon joynt-stools in the chimney in the hall; but it begun to smell, and so I caused it to be set forth in the yard all night, and watched by two men.  My aunt I found in bed in a most nasty ugly pickle, made me sick to see it.  My father and I lay together tonight, I greedy to see the will, but did not ask to see it till to-morrow.