Guardian cryptic Sat 1 April

[homeresque]

Happy April Fool's Day

Got the big ones, as usual it's the smaller ones I'm having trouble with:

7d "Facilis descensus Averno" - keeping count? (6) ?E?S?? Apparaently the phrase means 'the desecent to Avernus is easy' or the road to evil is easy

8d Description of Abraham going to press?(6) ?R?E?T

13a Sound of instrument suitable for the blues? (4) ??X?

Cheers

[kayakamina]

census

urgent

saxs

[kayakamina]

To elaborate Census hidden

UR GENT

[homeresque]

Thanks kayakamina, much appreciated. Should have got census but the Abraham one was too clever for me!

Think it's saxe though - apparently there is a colour called saxe blue.

[kayakamina]

You're right homeresque typing error should be Saxe

Cheers . Happy April Fool's Day

[homeresque]

Assumed it was a typo, K - at risk of sounding like a suck-up, I couldn't imagine you getting one wrong!

Just wanted to get it straight for anyone else struggling with it like me.

[Harry Bailey]

Hi Homeresque

I've only just found this site. Reading your q, I take it you must've solved 1d then. It's the only one I have left. Please put me out of my misery

[maimai]

Harry _ I am struggling with this (but was late starting last night) (and am always impressed with kayakamina's speedy solutions). I haven't many done yet, but wondered could it be the marx brothers? But don't have all the other letters yet. mai

[Argee]

Yes it is the Marx Brothers.

[Harry Bailey]

Ta v much. Yeah - Arbroath - easy when you know the answer innit! How did we ever manage to solve crosswords before the internet? Or were they easier then?

[Argee]

No, Harry, I don't think they were easier, we just spent longer with dictionaries and reference books. I don't mean to sound superior, but some of the questions, particularly the DTGK and MOS ones are repetitive and could easily be found with a little research.

[crofter]

homeresque You have now officially served your apprenticeship and your user name has turned black