QUICK CLUES:

Across

1. Coalition (5) 4. Admit (7) 8. Hopelessness (7) 9. Chubby (5)

10. Stagger (4)

11. Metal box (8)

13. Masticate (4)

14. Pleased (4)

16. Marine (8)

17. Motor-cab (4) 20. Imbecile (5)

21. Exceptional (7) 22. Refined (7)

23. Foe (5)

Down

1. Intellect (13) 2. Outcome (5) 3. Close (4) 4. Cattle-pen (6) 5. Wedding (8) 6. Made equal (7) 7. On the surface (13) 12. Depreciate (8)

13. Prudence (7)

15. By hand (6)

18. Entertain (5)

19. Certain (4)