The Atlantic Puzzler

By Henry Rathvon and Emily Cox

“NEWS CLIPPINGS”

(with acknowledgments to Stephen Sondheim)

In this month’s puzzle, the diagram is divided vertically and the two halves are identically patterned—a twinning perhaps suggestive of Nepal egg drop soup (1 Across). Answers to clues begin and end at the heavy bars. Each “News Clipping" clues two answers of equal length, one to be entered in the right side of the diagram and one in the left. The two clues appear side by side in the “News Clippings” without overlapping, but either the right-hand or the left-hand clue may come first. The parenthetical categories preceding the “News Clippings” are not part of the clues. Answers include four proper nouns (one a brand name). Remember that punctuation (including two irrelevant dollar signs here) may be used deceptively.

ACROSS

1. (See instructions) (12)

7. (International news) ABSOLUTE TYRANT BANISHING BOMBAST FROM LAND; LOVE RETURNS; VICTORY IN EUROPE TO UNFOLD (6,6)

8. (International news) REGIONS IN FAR EAST FUSS ABOUT ARTICLE THAT SUPPORTS UPRISING (5,5)

9. (Expose) OFFICE WORKER FOR Rolling Stone DRAWS ABOUT $1000 FROM N.Y. NEWSPAPER (5,5)

10. (In boxing) HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP TAKES FIRST OF BEATINGS, IS MAKING EXCUSES: TAGS INCIPIENT T1TLEHOLDER WITH ABUSES (6,6)

12. (Science news) TRAPPED IN SWAMP, ENTOMBED WITH ATMOSPHERE INSIDE—DINOSAUR ALIVE (4,4)

14. (From Washington) GOVERNMENT USES POOR TASTE—PROFANITY HAS SOCIETY BRIEFLY IN STITCHES (5,5) 16. (Quote of the Day) “THOSE MORALLY OPPOSED TO WAR INDEED CONFRONT FALLEN PRIDES” (WEBSTER) (6,6)

18. (Weather report) AIR QUIETLY

CIRCLES EAST, STRIKES, STARTS TO

BLAST AT TORNADO SPEEDS (4,4)

20. (Foreign scandal) FROM ENGLAND THE Voice SAYS, “COMPOSER PEELS OFF CLOTHING. A SLIP” (6,6)

21. (Domestic scandal) FUZZ SURROUNDING LIQUORED-UP PRESIDENT;

FIRST LADY HAS A HANGOVER (4,4)

22. (In soccer) LADY OF VIRTUE (WITH NURSES AS BACKS) DEFEATS CENTRAL CZECHOSLOVAKIANS BY FOUR POINTS (6,6)

DOWN

1. (Science news) STATE AGENTS RECYCLE SOAP, GET DECONGESTANT: DOCTORS HAVE INJECTED ONE TO TREAT SKIN (7,7)

2. (Book review) Ada VILE NOVEL, HAS MADE USE OF ROT, USES WANTON SEXUAL ARDOR (7,7)

3. (International news) HEAD OF NEPAL, OR LEADER OF MOZAMBIQUE. TO SET STANDARD FOR TOP PALESTINIAN LEADER AT EASTER (4,4)

4. (Travel tips) LAPLAND HAS SCHEME FOR HAPPINESS: SIGHTSEE IN JUNGLE ENVIRONS (4,4)

5. (Advertisement) SAVE UP TO SI ON

SATURDAY WITH DODGES BL EACH, A TOILET CLEANER WITH LEADING EMULSIFIERS (8,8)

6. (Theater review) MUSICAL STOPS, ACTRESS STUMBLES; ELECTRICITY GOES OUT; INSTRUMENTS IN MISERY, LISTENERS UPSET (5,5)

11. (Book review) IN MOSS HARTS

ABRIDGED AUTOBIOGRAPHY, Lovers at Heart, UNEMPLOYED WORKERS FIND PAINTING IS ANSWER (8,8)

13. (Movie review) “TOSSED ‘N’ TURNED” SHOWS WITH “SON OF ZEUS”-SUPER! WILD! GRIPPING! SEE ALL BUT THE END!

(7,7)

15. (From Washington) ABOUT 500 TAPES

BOTCHED: EXPERTS FRANTICALLY RESORT TO MAKE LIST (6,6)

16. (Foreign scandal) BABES TORTURED

BY FRENCH CLERGYMEN IN INCANTATION PERIOD (5,5)

17. (Gossip) STAR ACTRESS DISCLOSES WEIGHT IN RETURN FOR SWIMMING POOL WITH ONE DISORDER (5,5)

19. (Crime) A FEMALE RACKETEER (!) TO CONTINUE AS THUG (4,4)

Note: The instructions above are the special instructions for this month’s puzzle. It is

assumed that you know how to decipher clues. For a complete introduction to clue-solving, write to The

Atlantic Reprint Department, enclosing a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The solution to last month’s Puzzler appea rs on page 109.

connections. Many may wonder if the effort is worthwhile. Kosinski’s brutal and bleak exercise is compelling, but the sterility of his vision leaves little room for compassion or warmth.

-E.S.D.

THE DESTINIES OF DARCY DANCER,

GENTLEMAN

by .J. P. Donleavy

Delacorte/Seymour Lawrence, $8.95

A gentleman, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is “a man of chivalrous instincts and fine feelings.” Such to be sure is J. P. Donleavy’s latest dauntless hero, Darcy Dancer, a charming, good-looking, and much put-upon scion of the Irish aristocracy.

Darcy’s difficulties bear an uncanny resemblance to those of his roguish eighteenth-century predecessor, Tom Jones. Already suffering from the death of his mother and the murky circumstances of his begetting, he is cast out of his ancestral home—where he is attended by various loony servants—because of his dalliance with the housekeeper. Irate fox-hunters, sleazy bohemians, and other inferior types pepper the road to reinstatement, and Darcy Dancer’s gentlemanliness, along with his stamina, is well tested.

Donleavy has provided several ironic twists to this tale in order to prove that true nobility is more a matter of integrity and spirit than of birth or pocketbook—an idea as little understood today, apparently, as it was in Fielding’s time. He has also moderated the bitterness that prevailed in his last few novels, in favor of a lilting lyricism which is surprisingly moving. This is nicely offset by frequent moments of hilarity, including one of the most riotous chase scenes ever to gallop across the printed page.

-E.S.D.