Spectator Crossword 1858

[Rapparee]

Yir tiz, a nice circular one

And this...by Columba

[kayakamina]

Thanks for the link.

[JMR27]

thank you Rapparee

[Rapparee]

Thank you both for your replies.

I hope you found this round trip as absorbing as I did. Like a good novel I couldn't put it down until I had finished it.

[Lezapping]

Well, well, well, this time I am completely out of my league! I just cannot imagine this...no number of words? A radial? This is new to me...I will wait to see the answers the following week. Meanwhile, I hope next week's will be a normal one for me to try! Congrats, Rapparee, on finishing it again with such alacrity! Wish I had some of your brains!Hehehe...

[Rapparee]

Hi Lezapping,

Each answer has six letters. Of all the answers half read inwards from the outer rim and the other half in the opposite direction. Each clue shares three letters with its neighbour, not necessarily in the same direction.
The second ring from the outside contains a quotation which begins 'And this...' and the smallest innermost ring contains two words which are synonyms of two significant words in the quotation.
Some of the answers are words that are a bit unusual or obscure I must say, but have a go anyway. As always you can ask if you get stuck.
By the way I would never claim to be brainy, just experienced.

[Lezapping]

Thank you very much, Rapparee, for these insights into the puzzle. I will give it a shot early tomorrow morning when the brain is still fresh. It's now 20.03 on this side of the globe and I need to relax before the TV after a hectic day! I know I can always count on you! Thanks again! Cheers!