◀  No. 163 Clue list 15 Apr 1951 Slip image No. 165  ▶

XIMENES CROSSWORD No. 164

NEWTON

1.  C. A. Baker: One who is “fresh” and not well brought up is notable for making advances with his optics! (new + not (rev.); ref. Conduitt’s description of a “fresh-faced” Isaac N. and his early years, fatherless with absentee mother).

2.  R. Postill: West Country Abbot associated worldly attractions with forbidden fruit (2 mngs.; N. Abbot, Devon; N.’s law of gravity; apple, Adam & Eve).

3.  D. P. M. Michael: Following modern fashion, this scientist had attractive explanation for the Fall in the Garden (new + ton2; N.’s law of gravity; apple, Adam & Eve).

H.C.

E. S. Ainley: Dealt with light subjects with force and gravity in the modern style (new ton2; N.’s theory of light, law of gravity).

Rev B. Chapman: He realised the gravity of the situation, but went rashly on (anag. + on; N.’s law of gravity).

F. A. Clark: Cambridge man that conceived the long pull—modern style (new ton2; N.’s law of gravity).

Cdr H. H. L. Dickson: Modern heavy-weight; he early discovered why bodies fall (new ton; N.’s law of gravity).

S. Goldie: Studied small weight—and the light broke (wt in neon, & lit.; ref. A. Pope’s epitaph to N.,“and all was light”).

Mrs K. N. Graham: Philosopher: he found the world very attractive, so work went on erratically (anag.; N.’s law of gravity).

J. Hardie Keir: In all gravity, he proved the obvious—there’s little weight in a light gas (wt in neon; N.’s law of gravity).

G. G. Lawrance: Devonian Abbot who originally associated the apple with the reason for the Fall (2 mngs.; N. Abbot, Devon; N.’s law of gravity; apple, Adam & Eve).

A. R. McInroy: The personification of modern French fashion: he could cope with any kind of figure (new ton2; mathematician).

E. L. Mellersh: Barrow boy (modern style) studied fruit and knew how to make money (new ton2; ref. Newton’s tutor Isaac B., apple, N.’s law of gravity; Master of Mint).

C. J. Morse: Unfortunately I had that Diamond, or I could have won ten by ruffing (anag.; ref. bridge and Newton’s legendary dog called D.; see Brewer or ODQ).

W. B. O’Hanlon: He was a kinematic pioneer and spotted stars like Robert (2 mngs.; ref. R. Newton, film actor).

E. R. Prentice: Down goes the current heavy-weight! He explained why! (new ton; N.’s law of gravity).

T. E. Sanders: None could be more productive of illumination about weight (wt in neon (anag. of none), & lit.; N.’s law of gravity).

L. E. Thomas: Unaccustomed to fashion, he had novel ideas about what attracted every body (new + ton2; N.’s law of gravity).

H. S. Tribe: He observed profoundly that states of repose went on unchanged or—went on changed (anag.; N.’s first law of motion).

L. C. Wright: Exponent of light composition—modern style (new ton2; N.’s theory of light).

J. S. Young: Modern style writer of light literature (new ton2; N.’s theory of light).

RUNNERS-UP

A. N. Clark, T. N. Dowse, L. E. Eyres, J. A. Flood, P. A. Harrow, T. O. Hughes, Mrs L. Jarman, A. F. Lerrigo, C. H. Macmillan, F. E. Newlove, E. G. Phillips, D. W. Reeds, Miss D. Salmon, L. D. Wakely, J. Walton, J. F. N. Wedge, L. E. Woodage.
 

Others correct, with clues to Newton—G. Bowness, E. Davies, G. R. Grigg, H. J. Lloyd, Miss J. S. Lumsden, Mrs J. Maclagan, Lt.-Cdr. W. G. Marshall, A. J. Souter, J. Thomas, H. T. R. Twyford, H. D. Wakely, J. Ward and Anon (Harold’s Cross, Dublin).
 
Also correct, with clues to other names—W. Darby, T. H. East, R. Finlayson, Mrs N. Fisher, C. E. Gates, A. W. Hills, R. D. Jones, W. Lawson, M. B. McIlroy, W. L. Miron, R. J. Munnings, R. O’Donoghue, J. D. P. O’Leary, Rev. E. B. Peel, E. O. Seymour, J. A. Stabell, E. Whaley.
 
COMMENTS—68 correct out of 100 exactly; prophets of a “record low,” always mistaken before, were right at last. Difficulty of finding a word to clue probably accounted as much as difficulty of solution for this result: but it was hard, with much less help given by interlocking than usual. It also took longer to compose than any previous puzzle in this series, so I was glad to read that so many enjoyed the struggle. Snorri Sturluson was the worst snag, Otto Strasser coming next. A few queried the form “ulnas.” C. gives “ulnae,” but why assume that he thereby excludes the normal English plural? If you had been so unlucky as to break both yours, which would your doctor say? Ask him! Many apologies for mistaken italics in clue to ANIL—most regrettable, esp. in such a hard puzzle—carelessness in reading a revised proof. Luckily the numeral must have made the mistake seem at least a strong probability.
 
No satisfactory substitute for Isaac was found. Most of those used were not well enough known: some, hiding proper names, didn’t fulfil the condition that the hidden word must be in C.; two didn’t hide their words in the recognised way. The nearest to success was Mr Eyres’s Christopher Ocland, who was sound in all but fame: he was an Elizabethan schoolmaster-poet—not, I think, familiar enough. The others used were: Kaspar Netscher (painter), Einar Nerman (cartoonist), Francis Engleheart (engraver), Francis Englefield (Elizabethan politician), Louis Enghien (Bourbon—but needs D’), Caesar Nero (no!), Frederic(k) Ashton, Marie Du Barry, Eric Ashby. I have mentioned all the select band of correct solvers and have been, perhaps, a little less choosy in making awards than usual, but not much: the best entries were well up to the mark. Don’t fear another like this for some time—I don’t know when I shall feel strong enough! And thank you for enjoying it: it was fun to compose, too, though tough. Now, the next feature puzzle … !
 

 
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