I suppose it is extra security for the Minister's visit, but it is just unfortunate that there are any number of furtive fellows around the grounds and even on the roof and the weather has changed from very pleasant to frankly awful.

The ones up in the belvedere have some shelter, but I saw the ones on the Rotunda make a strategic withdrawal when it started get really bad with the hailstones plus thunder and lightening. It is bitterly cold too and the students have found that their academic gowns of warm gray wool are suddenly quite the thing. We are quite high up here, and open to all the weather, so there is a real need for warm clothes. I handed out the rabbit fur waistcoats, and saw that Madam Erzulie has once again brought out the cloak I made for her the first year she was here. I found a few things for our visitors too, though the younger couple don't seem inclined to get out of bed at all.