This crossword No. 21638 clues and answers were published on Thu 15 Jul 1999 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 21638 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
4-across – Diner consumes Sunday feast : EASTER
6-across – Excess of dubious help to artist : PLETHORA
9-across – Party minister backed in speech : VERBAL
10-across – Old resistance fighter given prize by governor : HEREWARD
11-across – Bar terms : LEGALJARGON
15-across – Model left part-time involvement with church dignitary : PRIMATE
17-across – Some baby, small enough to be bottomless : ABYSMAL
18-across – Titanic orchestra playing to order? : ABANDONSHIP
22-across – Sea captain – not half a terrible wretch : BLIGHTER
23-across – Get away – piss off, in common parlance : GOSSIP
24-across – Little by little, a man takes over – he’s over there : AMERICAN
25-across – Inferior competitor follows Cambridge lead – but not so far behind : CLOSER
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Lament rise of fear in the party : BEWAIL
2-down – Whereof George is 15 : ALLENGLAND
3-down – They lean precariously in Somerset : ATHELNEY
4-down – Covering letter? : ENVELOPE
5-down – Logis are inappropriate accommodation for concubines : SERAGLIO
7-down – Type of ring to give a friend? : OPAL
8-down – Like have a degree in sums : ADDS
12-down – A mean fellow is not unusual : AVERAGEMAN
13-down – Stress breaking up ship; mate’s lost heart : EMPHASIS
14-down – Lightweight journal? : FLYPAPER
16-down – Pioneer of the web site? : ARACHNID
19-down – Donkey and another old one : NOODLE
20-down – Father participates in Hebrew Sabbath observance : ABBA
21-down – Trick of speaking at length : WILE
This crossword has in total 26 where 12 are across and 14 are down.