From Norfolk.
the weather--Rev. J. B. Wilmer--fire as the Fary Yard — a Collector Wanted — the Markets.[special Correspondence of the Dispatch.]
Norfolk, Jan. 6, 1862.
To-day it is decidedly hazardous to walk the streets, and some pedestrians have already found their skulls in too close proximity with the ice-coated side-walks.
Rev. J. P. B. Wilmer, recently of Philadephia, who arrived here last week by flag of truce from Fortress Monroe; preached an excellent sermon yesterday in Christ Church, (Episcopal.) Mr. W. is stopping with his family at the Atlantic Hotel.
I learn that he met with some difficulty in getting away from the misealled city of Brotherly Love.
I trust he has shaken the dust from his feet.
Yesterday morning, at about 11 o'clock, a fire broke out in a saw mill in the Navy-Yard.
It is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary.
A detachment of the Norfolk County Patriots, stationed at the Yard, quickly extinguished the fire with the engines belonging to the establishment.
Little damage was done.
For the first time in the recollection of your correspondent, an office of some importance goes begging in Norfolk.
Mr. Garnett, the chief collector of the Confederate war tax, advertises for a collector for this city, and intimates that unless some suitable person in the city or district will take the office, a collector from another part of the State will be appointed.
I imagine that the chief difficulty in the way is the large amount of security required.
Business, excepting in a retail way, of course continues dull in Norfolk.
Some of the retail stores are favored with a large number of customers, and realize fair profits, in dry goods, groceries, shoes, hats, jewelry, hardware, confectionaries, &c., dealers have, generally supplies equal to the demand of buyers.
A considerable wholesale business is done in some articies by Quartermasters, Commissaries and others connected with the army, and it is very common to see wagon trains of provender, provisions, &c., for the army.
Corn is less plentiful than usual here, although there are sufficient quantities ready for market in the neighboring counties of the Old North State.
The article may be quoted at 50a55 I know of no important changes in the general market.
Butter is still high.
Coffee, owing to the scarcity, as well as to the high price, has been entirely dispensed with by many housekeepers, some using rye, some wheat, potatoes, and other substitutes.
While the prices of many things are high, and we hear not the voice of the stevedore along our wharves, as aforetime, and our harbor is unobstructed by steamers and sailing vessels, yet there is a very large amount of money in circulation, and the people are apparently getting on as happily and comfortable as usual. 