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Puzzle #14--July 2002 "Æstival"

Instructions: Guess the words defined by the cryptic clues (words vary in length from three to nine letters), then enter them in the grid one after another in the same order as their clues, starting in the upper left corner. Across words that don't end at the right margin continue on the next line below. Down words that don't end at the bottom margin continue in the next column to the right. Seven across and eight down words won't fit in the grid unless one of their letters is removed. Those fifteen letters, taken in order, spell a four-word phrase related to the title of the puzzle. The two mystery words are in turn related to the four-word phrase. Answers include three proper names and one hyphenated answer. As ever, I am grateful to Kevin Wald for help with the clues. If you are having trouble printing these puzzles, you can download an Adobe Acrobat version of the puzzle and grid. [Want to see some hints?]

Across

  1. Mystery word
  2. Dame--gossipy one with sibilant air
  3. Let in while a senior
  4. Swell bugle playing
  5. Be sick after end of trip in vessel
  6. New polemic put together
  7. Bad dream for corium
  8. Surveyor's instrument displays boxer where Miami is
  9. Look furiously regal
  10. Railroad takes up the French sovereign
  11. In the middle of plowing through team on goal
  12. Heard chair of badgers' group
  13. Soup boy restrains unruly tot
  14. Pay attention in the editing
  15. Landed in reality
  16. Good-by, Royal Mongolian
  17. Old boy waits and watches
  18. Insipid stew meat
  19. Call of bird in denial
  20. Anise processed in Tuscan town
  21. Ruby painting brought back by merchant
  22. Unfortunately, a girl speaking
  23. Note if seal broken in security mechanism
  24. Mystery word

Down

  1. Bird peering around end of bill
  2. Israeli attaché holding reed mace upside-down
  3. I'm a great English portrait
  4. Bullish for bile acid
  5. Tree of large curvature
  6. Mix seaweed after morning before start of mess
  7. Vehicle swerved, losing velocity, then sped headlong
  8. Degree, like that instrument, is perfect
  9. Working with English individual
  10. Gratuitous destruction of reef
  11. Loaded number went in front
  12. Carried nothing for Indonesian island
  13. Woman about to marry loses right to stay
  14. Noodles enhance tapas
  15. Phone-a-flower
  16. Part of proletariat
  17. Small sled carrying last of old sediment
  18. Four in fruit case
  19. Agree to current yield
  20. Expression about that hollow hand cover
  21. Stalk, then attack the one taking the blame
  22. Faun's gamboling leads to chaotic situation

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