What the temptation was, we may not know. Possibly he was inclined to extravagance in certain matters of personal dignity and adornment: we read of his paying fifteen pounds "for my wig"; and again, "At Boston. Paid Mr. Oliver for a cut whigg £10.00." But this is nothing. Parson Smith came of "kent folk," and may have had private means beside the salary of eight hundred dollars. Do we not read that Samuel Adams' barber's bill "for three months, shaving and dressing," was £175, paid by the Colony of Massachusetts? Necessary expenses were also heavy. "Dec. 4th, 1749. Paid Brother Smith for a Barrel of Flower £15.11.3." But on the other hand, he sold his horse to Mr. Jackson for £200. 1751 was an eventful year. On April 23d we read, "Weymouth Meeting House took fire about half an hour after 10 o'clock at night and burnt to the ground in abt 2 hours." This is all Parson Smith has to say about it, but the Boston _Post-Boy_ of April 29th tells us that: "Last Tuesday Night the old Meeting-house in Weymouth was burnt to the Ground: and three Barrels of Gunpowder, the Town-Stock, being in the Loft, blew up with a great noise. 'Tis uncertain by what Means the Fire happen'd." Paul Torrey, the town poet, says of it: Our powder stock, kept under lock, With flints and bullets were By dismal blast soon swiftly cast Into the open air. The poem hints at incendiaries. I'm satisfied they do reside Somewhere within the town: Therefore, no doubt, you'll find them out, By searching up and down. On trial them we will condemn, The sentence we will give: Them execute without dispute, Not being fit to live. This was a heavy blow to minister and congregation, in fact to the whole community; for the meeting-house was the centre and core of the village life.