XIMENES CROSSWORD No. 75

PETROLEUSES

1.  I. W. Seaton (Belfast): Blazers à la mode Parisienne? (cryptic def.; ref. Paris uprising 1871).

2.  L. E. Thomas (Bangor): These dames took their flames to public houses (cryptic def. ref. Paris uprising 1871).

3.  E. A. C. Bennett (SE21): Played Byron’s “Sappho” on the Paris Halls? A favourite part, with all its advantages (pet role uses; ref. ‘Don Juan’, “burning Sappho”).

H.C.

E. S. Ainley (S. Harrow): They made illuminated public addresses (Paris, 1871; see Proust, Le —— retrouvé) (anag. of see Proust Le; ref. ‘Le temps r.’).

H. Carter (Market Harborough): Sure to sleep? Disturbed by inflammatory Frenchwomen! (anag.).

Bishop of Chester: “Sleepers, out!” is the order when these ladies are involved (anag.).

W. J. Couper (Thurso): Use port lees for Mrs. Molotov’s cocktails (anag.).

A. Fenton (Oxford): Parisiennes presenting illuminated addresses disturb sleepers out (anag.).

H. C. Hills (W. Drayton): They fired Paris with enthusiasm. (No wonder, when mother’s darling takes part, and uses make up!) (pet role uses).

I. G. MacGregor (New Barnet): Did these fiery ladies really put their spirit to essential purposes? (petrol, E-uses; ‘E’ petrol reserved for essential use under rationing).

R. Macleod (St. Andrews): Use “E” and “S” petrol irregularly in illegal house heaters (anag.; ‘E’ and ‘S’ petrol reserved for other uses under rationing).

A. McIntyre (Edinburgh): Did they inspire “Lady into Fawkes,” and was their motto “Allumette, gentille allumette?” (cryptic def.; ref. novel ‘Lady into Fox’ and song ‘Alouette’ ; allumette = match).

A. P. O’Leary (Rugby): FIRE ladies! Turn out sleepers! (anag.).

G. Perry (Cambridge): Parisiennes burning with rage at gold turned over to the French customs (pet + or (rev.) + le + uses).

G. H. Podmore (Altrincham): He commonly uses the gas; it’s the women who light the fires (petrol ’e uses).

H. Rainger (SW3): Rouse (spelt with an e) hides Parisiennes of similar habits (anag. of Rouse, spelt, e; ref. Alfred A. Rouse, ‘blazing car’ murder 1930).

D. Talbot (Birmingham): Fire belles? They will disturb the sleepers out (anag.).

P. H. Taylor (Bromley): Old women of spirit are sure to sleep fitfully! (anag.).

H. S. Tribe (Sutton): They’ve been turning out sleepers since the T.U.C. began (anag.; ref. Paris uprising and Trade Union Act of 1871).

Comments.—367 correct. Not a great many errors, the commonest among them being Eyre for Tyre, which does not seem to justify the word “old,”, though it is indisputably as important for eyres as for tyres to go round the right way. The puzzle was easier, but the entry was not exceptionally large, perhaps because the clue word proved less tractable than had appeared likely. Comments varied from “This certainly was an easier puzzle” and “the easiest of your puzzles since I began” to “Not much easier” and “I’ve nearly lived with the blessed thing all week!”; from “Your previous two were too much for me” to “Please do not make the crossword easier.” So there it is, and we’ll do our best!
 
Two of the best entries—from Mr. Rainger and Mr. Tribe—just missed prizes on the ground that the know ledge needed to appreciate them was perhaps too specialised. Mrs Laing had the same pleasant idea as the first prize winner, but spoilt it by complicating her clue too much. She figures in a longish list of runners-up and will find that she has some distinguished company:—P. Barron, D. L. Carmichael, M. Cassel, Rev B. Chapman, P. M. Coombs, L. R. Dew, J. H. Dingwall, H. B. Drake, Capt D. Ellis, A. R. Fraser, G. O. Gibb, C. C. M. Giffin, W. E. Green (N10), D. Hawson, G. A. Hornsby, Mrs Kissen, C. Koop, Mrs Laing, Gnr P. A. Lally, C. M. McEwan, E. L. Mellersh, D. P. M. Michael, A. A. Milne, W. L. Miron, R. H. Murphy, F. E. Newlove, J. D. P. O’Leary, R. M. Pitblado, M. Rackham, A. Robins, T. E. Sanders, Mrs Simmonds, F. B. R. Smallman, A. E. Smith, Rev A. Taylor, A. H. Taylor, L. W. Titman, T. R. Twallin, Capt C. Tyers, FM Earl Wavell, Miss Wyatt.
 
[Archive note: FM Earl Wavell is Field Marshal Archibald Wavell GCB GCSI GCIE CMG MC PC, Commander-in-Chief of the first N. African campaign of WW2 and former Viceroy of India. The Bishop of Chester is the Rt Rev Douglas Crick. Author A. A. Milne also features amongst the runners-up.]