From Norfolk.
Exchange of the Rec. N. G. North for a Yankee Minister — a fire — sympathy for Queen Victoria--death of Lieut. Kinsey--high prices for apples, &c.[special correspondence of the Dispatch.]
Norfolk, Dec. 27, 1861.
Among those who arrived in the flag-of-truce steamer that came up from Old Point last evening, was Rev. N. G. North, who was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry in October.
He was formerly connected with the New Orleans Picayunes. He was exchanged for another clergyman named Mines, who was taken prisoner by the Confederate forces at Manassas.
Last night a brick dwelling house, nearly new, situated on Cumberland street, was destroyed by fire.
As the house was unoccupied it was no doubt set on fire.
The firemen prevented the spread of the flames among some frame buildings in the neighborhood.
The burnt building was owned by Mrs. Carnes.
The weather to-day is cold enough for the season.
The sky is clear and a breeze is blowing from northwest.
They who are not now prepared for winter will probably quicken their efforts, as the present change shows that those who have predicted a continuation of mild weather are probably mistaken in their calculations.
The enterprising proprietor of the Day Book announces his intention to issue a full sized sheet about the first of the year.
Col. M. Myers, H. B. M. Vice-Consul of this city, very properly calls a meeting of all British subjects an those connected by parentage with the dominions of Queen Victoria, for the purpose of expressing their sympathy in the recent domestic affliction of Her Majesty in the death of Prince Albert.
Intelligence was received here yesterday, of the death of Lieut. J. W. Kinsey, of the Lenoir Braves, North Carolina volunteers.
He died at Fort Warren, of typhoid fever, aged about twenty.
He was among the prisoners taken at Hatteras.
The following extract of a notice of his death, will be gratifying to his friends: ‘"It was his custom to attend devotional exercises twice a day, and was regularly an attendant on public worship on the Sabbath.
He was remarkable for the quietness, thoughtfulness, and at the same time, the cheerfulness of his deportment."’
Our market is well supplied to-day with the usual articles required for household consumption, which are sold at high prices to ready buyers.
Among the articles that are very high here, apples may be mentioned as specially elevated.
Fair quality sell as high as $9 per barrel, and retail at from 3 to 6 cts, each.
It is believed by many persons of good judgment and experience, that this wholesome, nutritious and almost indispensable fruit can be produced in plentiful quantities and of superior quality in this section as well as else where.
The soil and climate are quite well adapted to the growth of apples of both summer and winter varieties.
As we should not depend hereafter upon New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for apples, (and ten thousand other things that can be produced in our own country,) the attention of farmers should be directed to this useful product, so that our market may always be bountifully supplied.
Apples we must have, at almost any price, on account of their great value as an article of almost daily use.
It is found that peaches and pears, as well as apples, grow well here; and although many farmers have orchards of considerable extent, now that the Northern productions are not received, as formerly, it is hoped that the raising of fruit, especially for winter use, will become far more common and extensive in our State than at present. 