XIMENES CROSSWORD No. 997

TREACLE

1.  Mrs B. Lewis: Material for a black confection that might become Electra (anag.; t. toffee; ref. O’Neill, ‘Mourning Becomes E.’).

2.  A. J. Crow: Black clinging stuff becomes Electra in distress (anag.; ref. O’Neill, ‘Mourning Becomes E.’).

3.  J. Fryde: What “becomes Electra” in play? Thick dark stuff. (anag.; ref. O’Neill, ‘Mourning Becomes E.’).

V.H.C.

C. Allen Baker: Electra complex: this exhibits excessive adherence (anag.).

A. L. Freeman: Blandishments often bestowed upon tarts (2 mngs.).

R. R. Greenfield: Bill the Lizard’s head in a wooden frame—three sisters drew it (a/c L in tree; ref. Alice in Wonderland, t. well).

G. S. Halse: This, rice equally, actuated carnivore’s little explosion initially (init. Letters, & lit.; “Pop goes the weasel”).

S. Hewitt: Fawning becomes Electra (anag.; ref. O’Neill, ‘Mourning Becomes E.’).

Mrs E. J. Holmes: Flattery, laid on thick, was meat and drink to these well-disposed sisters (2 mngs; ref. Alice in Wonderland; i.e. living in a well).

E. M. Hornby: Fawning becomes Electra (anag.; ref. O’Neill, ‘Mourning Becomes E.’).

C. H. Hudson: “Electra,” miscast, has sticky run (anag.; ref. O’Neill, ‘Mourning Becomes E.’).

Mrs L. Jarman: “Glib and oily art”, etc., that worked with Lear (anag. & lit.; ref. Lear I.1; work = ferment).

G. Johnstone: Let Acer supply this (anag. & lit.; maple; supply advb.).

Sir S. Kaye: Form of electuary? Yes, usage initially expressed (anag. less y, u, & lit.).

R. E. Kimmons: Fawning becomes Electra (anag.; ref. O’Neill, ‘Mourning Becomes E.’).

A. D. Legge: Electra complex, and the classic antidote (anag.).

Lt Col D. Macfie: Carroll wrote about this well, but Lear, etc., badly (anag.; ref. Alice in Wonderland, t. well, and Edward L.).

T. W. Melluish: Electra complex left by a mother’s smears? (anag.; mother = moth-hunter).

R. Postill: Set out to catch hawks perhaps: caught a tercel (anag.; hawk-moths; catch = entangle).

G. J. S. Ross: Electra complex shared by three well-educated sisters (anag.; ref. Alice in Wonderland; i.e. living in a well).

L. J. Sears: Fawning becomes Electra (anag.; ref. O’Neill, ‘Mourning Becomes E.’).

J. B. Sweeting: Fawning becomes Electra (anag.; ref. O’Neill, ‘Mourning Becomes E.’).

Mrs M. P. Webber: What was in the well? Absurd cat with leer? It’s the same old story (anag.; ref. Alice in Wonderland, t. well, Cheshire Cat).

H.C.

C. J. Anderson, F. D. H. Atkinson, M. J. Balfour, A. Barker, C. O. Butcher, E. Chalkley, J. F. Coldwell, P. M. Coombs, Mrs M. P. Craine, J. Crowther, N. C. Dexter, F. E. Dixon, Dr J. Foster, Mrs J. O. Fuller, H. R. Game, L. H. Garrett, S. R. Gibbs, R. H. F. Isham, L. W. Jenkinson, C. Jones, M. A. Lassman, A. Lawrie, Mrs C. Leach, P. W. W. Leach, L. F. Leason, L. E. Lodge, D. P. M. Michael, C. J. Morse, F. E. Newlove, S. L. Paton, B. A. Pike, E. J. Rackham, W. Rodgers, Miss D. Salmon, L. G. D. Sanders, J. E. Smith Wright, J. R. Stocks, Brig R. F. E. Stoney, J. G. Stubbs, Dr W. G. A. Swan, K. Thomas, M. F. Thorogood, H. S. Tribe, R. P. Vincent, J. F. N. Wedge, P. Young.
 

COMMENTS:—Over 400 entries and about 50 incorrect, about 40 of them containing “micelle” for “micella”. I sympathise and now think it was a horrible clue; why should anyone remember the song? I freely admit that when I wrote it I idiotic ally didn’t notice the alternative spelling, and the vital letter was unchecked. If it were not for one thing, I think I would have let the senders of “micelle” qualify: but in strict justice I ,must point out that Chambers gives “mī-sel-ä” as the pronunciation of “micella” but “mi-sel” as that of “micelle”. This indicates that in “micelle” the I is short, so that it couldn’t sound like “my cell”. I therefore had to rule the sufferers out; but it was a beastly trap of the kind I don’t like setting and didn’t mean to set; so I apologise. The song was popular, I think, about 1920, but it is quite forgotten and I oughtn’t to have used it, even without the unintentional trap.
 
The entry was very good, Electra and the treacle well being by far the most popular subjects. There is little this time between the three excellent prizewinners; I only just prefer the first to the second and the second to the third. There was not much unsoundness but still a few indirect anagrams of an unhelpful kind. My wife and I are greatly looking forward to meeting many old friends and also many new ones at the Dinner. Many thanks for a lot of kind messages of goodwill from those who can’t be there; I wish they could.