From Norfolk.
the late news from England — the weather — Price of salt, &c.[special correspondence of the Dispatch.]
Norfolk, Dec. 18, 1861.
The important foreign news brought last evening by passengers from the North, via Old Point by flag of truce, was received here with feelings of decided approbation and pleasure.
The evidences of gratification were seen in the smiling countenances of a number of the people.
Boys amused themselves in the streets with fire crackers, Roman candles, fire-devils, &c., and some person made a great light in the market place by burning barrels which had contained one of the many combustible materials produced by the old North State.
There seems to be a general desire that the Northern Government may refuse to surrender the gentlemen who were, in so rude a manner, forced to leave the British steamer in which they had taken passage for England.
A refusal to apologize and to restore them to the position from which they were taken, will doubtless cause John Bull to fight.
And the attack would not be long delayed.
The work of destroying the so called powerful United States Navy would be commenced at a very early day — that mammoth, rapid, steel-plated, and powerful war steamer H. M. ship Warrior, being at the head of the Queen's grand armada.
Then will follow, of course, the closing of the Northern ports and the opening of the Southern, the acknowledgment of the independence of the Southern Confederacy, a plentiful supply of cotton from the South for England, plentiful quantities of all things needful for the South from European ports, a still more terrible and effective blow at the commerce and manufactures of the Northern cities, the rapid growth of the cities of the South, and not improbably a speedy termination of the war forced upon the South by the abolition fanatics of the North.
Some persons here think Seward will soon turn up crazy, and that Lincoln, the elegant gentleman who so ably presides over the attractive menagerie, will be devoured by some of the wild beasts around him.
The remarkably bright, dry and healthful weather continues.
Indeed we have almost a drought in winter.
The cisterns are nearly empty, the roads are dusty, and the swamps and low-grounds are getting as dry as in summer time.
It is not improbable that we shall have a change before Christmas, and that there will be enough of rain, snow and cold weather before the winter is over.
Liverpool salt is getting exceedingly scarce here.
The price is $25 per sack, and holders not anxious to sell at that price.
It is not improbable that the article will go up still higher.
Other kinds, however, can be had at much more reasonable rates. 