For the benefit of those who do not yet know that Political Correctness is a

species of stark gibbering lunacy: I learn from Max Hastings’s diary in the

October 25 Spectator that the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden

now includes a signer — “a madwoman waving her arms,” says Hastings — at the

edge of the stage, for the benefit of deaf opera fans. I am going to say

that again: For the benefit of deaf opera fans. Please note that the ROH

already has surtitles spelling out the libretto on a screen above the stage.

I think I have to go and lie down.