I saw a headline, “Congressional Black Caucus members praise Castro after meeting,” but did not click on the article. I have read this article before — many times, for years, all my life. For all the convulsive change we see and talk about, there is a sameness to the world. I offer you an article from 2000: “In Castro’s Corner: A study in black and red,” here. I wrote it during the Elián González episode (if you remember . . .).

On a happier subject: I said that I would report to you on Augusta National in the next NR, and that is indeed the case. Augusta is one of the world’s special spots; and so is Salzburg. I will be lecturing at the Easter Festival, on Wagner: “Three Cheers for Part III: Siegfried, Third Installment of Wagner’s Ring.” The lecture will take place Monday morning at 11, at the Hotel Sacher.

Come on by! You know you want it . . .

P.S. You want a sign of modern times? “I saw a headline . . . but did not click on the article.” “Click”! Before long, that sentence will seem perfectly normal. In fact, it already does.

P.P.S. Golf, Wagner — is this not a liberal’s stereotype of the conservative traveler? I’d prefer not to think about it . . .

P.P.P.S. Just so you know, the Left heavily — heavily, heavily — outweighs the Right (the Reaganite Right) at Salzburg. Augusta National, ’tis true, is a different story . . .

But what does politics have to do with any of this?

P.P.P.P.S. A final note: When Enoch Powell went on Desert Island Discs, he chose all Wagner — only Wagner recordings, to take to a desert island with him. I have heard people cite this as an example of his madness; I have heard others cite it as an example of his admirability. I myself lean (a), but understand (b).