CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Gaiety with which men term Rhode Island is misapplied (9) 5. Take some starters even at teatime (3) 7. It is nearly time to sleep, but not quite (4) 8. Natural desire to be small in France and copy the outside (8) 10. What capital earns may engage one’s attention (8) 11. Throw some light on the structure in the garden (4) 13. Easily managed to break old ice up (6) 15. The condition might be left with half-term arrangement (6) 18. What is learned at Oriel one leaves to be sorted out (4) 19. With many elements of same kind one could get millet up (8) 22. Complies with the class when among prisoners (8) 23. An iris will flap feebly on a paving-stone (4) 24. Was illuminated when not much was halved (3) 25. Lucky for fish, tea hasn’t finished (9)

DOWN

1. The human race will damn ink version of it (7) 2. Correct what one is entitled to (5) 3. Poe wrote about sex to lay it bare (6) 4. Sentimentally pretty we appear in tie one had left (4) 5. Descriptive term Pete hit out with (7) 6. General tendency to trap half at the finish (5) 9. Superfluous ornament for nothing less when invalid (5) 12. Open country right away from the fireside (5) 14. Ornamental headdress found once rot was removed (7) 16. Table ornament, electroplated, turns green (7) 17. Actor in folk-play was silent on merit: it wasn’t needed (6) 18. The pub nearby is all company can supply (5) 20. Dance in a pattern of dots (5) 21. Footing on which cattle are live (4)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across 1. Absurd 4. Back-up 9. Talking 10. Chart 11. Rain 12. Fend 13. Kit 15. Heel 16. Snip 19. Set 21. Ills 22. Free 24. Irate 25. Bullion 26. Negate 27. Verger Down 1. After a fashion 2. Selfish 3. Rail 5. Accident 6. Knack 7. Petit dejeuner 8. Agree 14. Sediment 17. Parting 18. Globe 20. Twang 23. Glee