XIMENES CROSSWORD No. 884

MASHER (Printer’s Devilry)

1.  Maj A. S. Birt: Said Brown, “Alas, our hope’s a Red: I/an Smith out and no declaration now” (Rhodesia, cricket).

2.  B. J. Iliffe: Girls ready for fun and games in a cabaret, err if I cares/s!

3.  C. J. Morse: Debarred from jazzing up, Pa? No, ra/rin’ to go, says gossip columnist (Ned Sherrin).

H.C. (extra prizes)

D. B. J. Ambler: Weekend golfers may not see the proper for/ests on Sundays.

T. Anderson: Stra/in, yes—work up north may be (stramash Erinyes’).

C. Allen Baker: As revellers might s/o sit, snow being specially covered for New Year.

P. R. Clemow: From a deep co/al lie, sand recovery seems possible.

N. C. Dexter: Harold: “Rhodesia’s certain crooks. Hi, S. A. r/ace! Sin to deliver” (H. Rhodes, bowler).

S. Goldie: Famous du/o was often accompanied by equally famous trio (Dumas).

R. H. F. Isham: A du/o had a trio of companions: making an awesome foursome? (Dumas).

B. Jordan: True Olympic athlete does not consider the pal/aces along the track.

Dr W. I. N. Kessel: “We’ve christ/ened Sherrin,” said Hugh Greene, “Son-of-our-letter-programmes” (Ned S., BBC).

G. G. Lawrance: Perhaps Falstaff would have refused port with a bluff hai/ry man.

Mrs E. McFee: Waiter gave evidence of itching—pal/e—ached for his tip.

L. Reece: Why no tar/iff protection is necessary in the west.

Mrs A. Rivlin: Out of co/al, lies grate. Fully aware! Drat! Bed’s ideal—so happy!

W. Rodgers: To perform a du/o such as Dante’s is impossible for a woman (Dumas, Dantes).

T. E. Sanders: When Harold gave sack to To/ry party would sound like the Right setting (H. Wilson sacked Tom Fraser, Min. of Transport).

Mrs K. Slater: If you consider, to/o much of The Mill on the Floss is meaningless.

B. Smith: That lady’s my grand/est sin—her bedroom every afternoon!

F. B. Stubbs: Was Tes/s in the back row of the chorus? Never!

J. F. N. Wedge: They all screa/m an’ steam—Do I, mon, to something good? (Herman’s Hermits, pop group).

B. C. Westall: He said to himself “Bewar/e!” Ached for his drink.

RUNNERS-UP

E. Allan, F. D. H. Atkinson, Mrs M. Avery Jones, Mrs P. C. Barclay, J. W. Bates, E. A. Beaulah, G. Bradbrook, R. Brain, Dr J. F. Brignell, Mrs H. Brooke, Rev C. M. Broun, C. O. Butcher, G. Chambers, R. N. Chignell, R. M. S. Cork, Mrs M. P. Craine, F. E. Dixon, L. L. Dixon, J. Dorrington, Sgt J. Dromey, H. W. Flewett, G. P. Goddard, L. Gorse, P. Graystone, R. N. Haygarth, Mrs M. Henderson, E. M. Hornby, Mrs E. Hughes, F. G. Illingworth, F. H. Jenkins, N. Johnson, A. H. Jones, J. Hardie Keir, C. Key, R. E. Kimmons, C. F. Kingdon, M. W. Knight, E. C. Lance, A. Lawrie, J. H. C. Leach, L. F. Leason, A. D. Legge, Mrs B. Lewis, J. L. Mackie, J. D. H. Mackintosh, A. A. Malcolm, Dr B. N. McQuade, D. P. M. Michael, C. G. Millin, P. H. Morgan, H. C. Munnings, F. B. Newbould, F. E. Newlove, D. A. Nicholls, S. L. Paton, W. H. Pegram, H. C. S. Perry, Mrs N. Perry, B. A. Pike, R. Postill, G. H. Ravenor, J. D. Renwick, Dr D. S. Robertson, E. L. Russell, E. Schafran, J. A. Sever, W. K. M. Slimmings, J. R. P. Soper, R. E. Stephens, J. G. Stubbs, Rev L. M. Styler, J. W. Taylor, P. H. Taylor, J. Thompson, D. J. Waddams, P. H. Watkin, W. Watts, G. H. Wilde, G. H. Willett, D. A. Wilson, R. G. Wilson, S. E. Woods.
 

COMMENTS:—No time for many: the slips are bound to be late, and I don’t want to make them later than is necessary. A very good entry of about 550 with very few mistakes, chiefly single omitted letters—slips, probably. The standard of clues was high, as the length of the lists shows. I have reverted to the labels “H. C.” and “Runners-up” simply to avoid possible confusion over the extra prizes. There are still some clue-writers who insist on disregarding my warning not to sacrifice the sense of the final version to that of the devilled version. I must quote just two—“It was one p/anto—‘The Babes in the Wood.’” “The Earls suffer as much as th/e Counts.” Clues like this inevitably lack entertainment value.
 
One apology—I’m told that Bacup is pronounced “bay-cup”—sheer ignorance on my part.
 
And very many thanks for Christmas cards and good wishes and appreciative remarks: I’m glad this innovation proved popular. A happy New Year to all.