SPECTATOR CROSSWORD No. 874

ACROSS 1 Shades of the RAF! (6, 7) 9 Headgear for a Ctinadian hero (9).

10 How old is the moon? (5) 11 The artist is here to stay (5).

12 Hid spiral (anag.) (9).

13 Backward debutantes surround the cricketer (7).

15 They are delicate if shady (7).

17 A step in young ambition's ladder at sea (7).

19 One is able to make an excursion; spell it (7).

21 The Senorita knows they are very quickly rattled (9).

23 Rub in, well mixed, to get the beast right (5).

24 Father of literature (5).

25 Or the trichologist's dilemmas (9).

26 Does the manicurist finish the job with this tool? (7.6) DOWN 2 In Elian wit I may spring a surprise (3, 2, 4).

3 At home tog up; rather precious (5).

4 Dress was the first but was mis- represented (7).

5 Going? Ay (anag.) (7).

6 The artist has exaggerated, in a not very creditable state (9).

7 Attainable water (5).

8 Pa's set for a hearing aid (6).

9 There's something more to a visit at sea in the rain (5).

14 You'll find it on the whatnot (4-1-4).

16 The end of 14 turns up with the pawn- broker (9).

17 'The man must have a rare ---- for melancholy who can be dull in Fleet Street' (Lamb) (6).

18 He was slain by Beowulf (7).

19 Company's thanks and return to drawer (7).

20 'Ride on the — triumphing' (Shake- speare) (5).

22 The state of the lustrously upholstered chair? (5) 23 Skedaddlts from the projectiles (5).

Two prizes will be awarded: a copy of the De Luxe edition of Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary and a book token for one guinea. They will be awarded to the senders of the first two correct solutions opened after noon on February 21 and addressed: Crossword No. 474, 99 Gower St., London, WC1

Chambers's TN entietli Century Dictionary, New Version, is recommended for Crosswords.