immediately drew his attention; besides, he had a natural curiosity for
such objects.

[Gentleman of the chamber to the Duke of York, and brother to Lord
Viscount Brounker, president of the royal society. Lord Clarendon
imputes to him the cause of the great sea-fight, in 1665, not being
so well improved as it might have been, and adds, "nor did the duke
come to hear of it till some years after, when Mr. Brounker's ill
course of life, and his abominable nature, had rendered him so
odious, that it was taken notice of in parliament, and, upon
examination, found to be true, as is here related; upon which he was
expelled the house of commons, whereof he was a; member, as an
infamous person, though his friend Coventry adhered to him, and used
many indirect acts to have protected him, and afterwards procured
him to have more countenance from the king than most men thought he
deserved; being a person, throughout his whole life, never notorious
for anything but the highest degree of impudence, and stooping to
the most infamous offices, and playing very well at chess, which
preferred him more than the most virtuous qualities could have
done."--Continuation of Clarendon's Life, p. 270.]

Of all the men at court, he had the least regard for the fair sex, and
the least attention to their reputation: he was not young, nor was his
person agreeable; however, with a great deal of wit he had a violent
passion for women. He did himself justice respecting his own merit; and,
being persuaded that he could only succeed with those who were desirous
of having his money, he was at open war with all the rest. He had a
little country-house four or five miles from London always well stocked
with girls: in other respects he was a very honest man, and the best
chess-player in England.