RURAL INTELLIGENCE.
SPLICINGHAM.
Interesting Event.—On Thursday the 25th inst. this pretty little village was early astir, and thrown into a state of pleasurable excitement, it being the nuptial morn of Miss Selina Sunnismile, daughter of Mr. Sunnismile, gardener and florist, with Mr. Robert Grubbins, pork-butcher, both of this parish. The parents of the happy couple being held in high esteem, triumphal arches were erected, decked with appropriate mottoes, and the front of the bride's residence was festooned with early cauliflowers and other floral ornaments which her father had purveyed. The choral service terminated with the Wedding March of Mendelssohn, performed on the harmonium by Mr. Joseph Thumper with his accustomed skill. An elegant déjeûner, consisting of pork-pies, pickled herrings, trotters, tripe, and wedding-cake, was then done ample justice to by a select party of guests; the bride's health being drunk in bumpers of champagne, expressly made for the occasion from her father's famous gooseberries, which gained a prize last summer at the exhibition of the Splicingham Pomological Society. After this affecting ceremony, the happy pair departed, in a shower of old slippers, on a trip to the metropolis, to spend their honeymoon.
WOBBLESWORTH.
Literary Entertainment.—The second of the series of Halfpenny Readings was held last Tuesday evening at the Literary Institute, the Rev. Mr. Mildman being voted to the Chair. It will be noticed from the programme that something more than mere amusement is the aim of these small gatherings; and, as a means towards the better education of the country, we need hardly say we wish them all manner of success:—
| Reading, "Old Mother Hubbard" | Miss Brown. |
| Recitation, "Humpty Dumpty" | Master Jones. |
| Song, "Twinkle, twinkle, little Star" | Mrs. Robinson. |
| Recital (in costume), "Grilling a Grizly" | Mr. Smith. |
| Reading, "The Humours of Joe Miller" | Rev. Z. Snooks. |
| Comic Song, "O, did you twig her Ankle?" | Mr. Larker. |
| Recital, "My Name is Norval" | Master Wiggins. |
| Glee, "The Cock and Crow" | Wobblesworth Warblers. |
| Reading, "The Bandit's Bride" | Rev. H. Walker. |
| Song, "I seek thee in every Shadow" | Mr. Growler. |
| Recital, "The Haunted Hottentot" | Dr. Blobbs. |
| Comic Song, "Jolly Miss Jemima" | Mr. Larker. |
| Chorus, "Ri fol de riddle ol" | Wobblesworth Warblers. |
The company separated at the somewhat advanced hour of half-past nine o'clock, after spending an enjoyable and instructive evening.
DUFFERTON AND BLUNDERBURGH.
Sparrowshooting Extraordinary.—The annual meeting of the Dufferton and Blunderburgh Sparrow Club was held on Monday last at the Goose and Gridiron, Dufferton, the President, Mr. Boobie, again occupying the chair. It appeared from the report that, during the past twelvemonth, no fewer than 5937 sparrows had been slaughtered by the honourable members of the club. Complaints had been received of increasing devastation by fly, and slug, and caterpillar, and it was said that this was owing to the great decrease of small birds effected by the club. The Chairman, amid cheers, pooh-poohed these allegations, and, after presenting a new powderflask to Mr. Jonah Jowls, for having made the largest bag of small birds in the twelvemonth, the Chairman humorously adjourned the meeting to the supper-room, where mine host served up an elegant light supper, the menu whereof consisted of sausages, black puddings, Welsh rarebits, and pork-chops.