In January, 1784, died suddenly in Macclesfield-street, Soho, aged 79,
Sam. Crisp, esq., a relation of the celebrated sir Nicholas Crisp.
There was a remarkable singularity in the character of this gentleman.
He was a bachelor, had been formerly a broker in ’Change-alley, and many
years since had retired from business, with an easy competency. His
daily amusement, for fourteen years before, was going from London to
Greenwich, and immediately returning from thence, in the stage; for
which he paid regularly £27 a year. He was a good-humoured, obliging,
and facetious companion, always paying a particular attention, and a
profusion of compliments, to the ladies, especially to those who were
agreeable. He was perpetually projecting some little schemes for the
benefit of the public, or, to use his own favourite maxim, pro bono
publico; he was the institutor of the Lactarium in St. George’s Fields,
and selected the Latin mottoes for the facetious Mrs. Henniver, who got
a little fortune there. He projected the mile and half stones round
London; and teased the printers of newspapers into the plan of
letter-boxes. He was remarkably humane and benevolent, and, without the
least ostentation, performed many generous and charitable actions, which
would have dignified a more ample fortune.