SPECTATOR CROSSWORD No. 964

ACROSS

1 Vigil's not for long and held on instructions (8, 5).

9 Whether it will bloom is doubtful (9).

10 I'd make it move quickly (5).

11 They're all at Oxford (5).

12 Strengthen the cavalry, perhaps (9).

13 'Which the neat-handed Phillis —' (Milton)

(7).

15 So 1 rein (anag.) (7).

17 He's surrounded by reversed calls (7).

19 &a got in on the line (7).

21 Compiler of Pravda's crossword, perhaps (3, 6).

23 It's found in a creature without segments (5).

24 A word if I may add an ornament (5).

25 This galon disgusts (9).

26 Like Valentine's correspondence? (5, 3, 5)

DOWN

2 Status quo on the barrack-square? (2, 3, 4) 3 These weapons need breaking in (5). 4 The kind of investigation that might take place here! (7) 5 'She was a shape of dazzling hue' (Keats) (7).

6 My fairing is branching out (9). 7 The kind of days that should help to cheer winter months (5). 8 Did Dr. Grantly, for example, ever display such polish? (6)

9 What Lancelot did a little space (5).

14 Not to be confused with the pelt of the same kind of fox (6, 3).

16 'Our peace, our fearful —' (Wordsworth) (9). 17 This little fish-girl is a picture! (6) 18 Puss has conquered a high peak with one tree (7).

19 The painter seems to demand further space (7).

20 'Your ghost will walk, you lover of —' (Browning) (5).

22 To treat Uncle might take courage (5).

23 Is it the gen that's wanted? Not at all! (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 at noon on November 12 and addressed: Crossword No. 964, 99 Gower St., London, WC1 Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary, New Version, is recommended for Crosswords.

Solution on November 15 Solution to No. 962 above

The winners of Crossword No. 962 are: MR. G. S. NAPIER, Malaya, Seaton, Devon, and 1V1as. NORSWORTHY, Eastcombe, Stroud, :aloe.