The Daily Dispatch

of the Fever in Norfolk and Portsmouth.

Dreadful Correspondence of the Dispatch.

NORFOLK, Sept. 5,

A Minister's definition of practical piety and devotion to duty—Arrival of 40 coffins from the Navy Yard—Fearful death from fever: Arrival of Coffins—Gosline the murderer—Dead—Deaths, &c.

We enquired of one of our prominent ministers yesterday—a man who has acquired the esteem of the community by his fearless devotion to the sick and dying, during the prevailing epidemic—what he considered, taken in a pastoral sense, was "devotion to duty, the only source and inspiration of a true courage, and a genuine practical piety."

He replied that in the exigency of times like the present, he only considered that Pastor possessed of genuine practical piety and devotion to duty, who had the moral fortitude (the only true courage) to stand by his congregation, and minister to their spiritual wants, even at the sacrifice of his own life!

Thus spoke out "the real ring of the metal," of a gallant soldier of the cross, and a true minister of God! And every noble and worthy spirit, whether he be preacher, layman, or sinner, will fully concur in the Reverend friend's definition of "devotion to duty and genuine practical piety," not only in a pastoral view, but in every other view by which the manhood and christian charity of man can be judged! We need not add that the mass of our community hold the same opinion as that expressed above, which some who are now absent will find out when they return, after "the heat and brunt of the battle" is over.

The applications for coffins to the Howard Association this morning have been as numerous and pressing as the solicitations for office at a Minister's Department in Washington. The names of the applicants are put down in regular order as they come, and so served. The eagerness with which the applicants press their claims is horribly ludicrous, and yet not to be wondered at, when we take into consideration the fact that many have friends and relations lying dead at home, who have been rotting on their beds two days or more, awaiting a box or coffin to be buried in! We were pleased to learn that nearly all were duly served, owing to the kindness of the Commandant of the Navy Yard, who yesterday set all hands to work making coffins, and sent over this morning forty ready for use.

Among the list of prominent citizens who have lately fallen, more than a passing notice should be taken of Wm. Henry Garnett a zealous officer of the Howard Association, who devoted his time day and night to searching out and removing destitute sick patients to the Juleppi Hospital, and who never flagged or faltered in his Samaritan course, until arrested and rendered powerless by the invisible destroyer. No man possessed a warmer heart than William Henry Garnett—no man evinced a greater sympathy for the sufferings of the poor around him, or displayed greater exertions in relieving their wants—and no one has fallen more true to the line of his duty, or more faithful to the end!

In taking a walk this morning on Bute st. we heard the most agonising and heart-rending screams issuing from a dwelling over the way, that we ever listened to. It seemed to rise like the last despairing shriek of a drowning wretch, utterly bereft of hope, taking his final plunge under the overwhelming waters! On enquiring, we found that a man lay there ill with the fever, delirious and raving, and that it was found necessary to confine him by force to his bed to prevent his leaping from the window. The poor fellow died in a few hours after, tortured to death by the consuming fever, and furiously frantic to the last!

Bray B. Walters of the National Hotel is very ill

We have to notice the arrival (and they could not have come in a more appropriate time) of 110 coffins from Richmond, and 40 from Hampton. About 150 more is expected to-day from Baltimore.

There were not so many new cases last night; there has also been a falling off in the number of deaths. Among those taken since yesterday. we note Mrs Howlett, Miss Almira Thayer, Frank Spangler and wife, Wm Jones and three children, and N C Whitehead, Esq., acting Mayor of this city

Mr. Clarke, of New Orleans, has been appointed chief of police, pro tem.

Miss Anna Searles and Mrs Harmanson, of this city, have died in Baltimore, with the vomito.

John Rogers, George Drummond, Warren Wing, Tom Corprew and Wm Walters are up and doing well.

Gosline, the murderer of Murphy, has died in jail with the fever. W P Burnham and Mr Boothby are dying. Eight died at the City Hospital last night; 6 were taken down at the National Hotel.

We notice some of the latest deaths: Thos Dixon, Mr Pumphrey, (carpenter,) Curtis Morse, Mrs Custis, Magazine lane; Mrs Christopher, Bank street; Mary Boyle, Bank street; Edward Dodd, Mrs James T Elliott, Nina Baylor, daughter of H H Newsum; Anthony Lovett; Mrs Mallory, mother of the late Miss Laura and Patty Mallory; Thomas Eldridge; Alex Ballance; Mrs Hickle; Mrs L Parsons; G Phillips; Master Robinson, son of Wm V Robinson; Mrs G Washington Camp, wife of the Cashier of the Exchange Bank; Mrs Holden, 72 Bute street; Mr Luten, Water street; Thomas Keating, Fenchurch street; Miss Roselia Griffin, Market Square; Thomas C Dixon, of the firm of Dixon & Hallett; Henry Rudder, Cabinet maker, aged 35; Reuben Butler, of Surry county; Hugh Rogers, and 5 negroes.

The weather is damp and unfavorable— wind from the Northeast, with a cold drizzly rain.