1 Across: Famous composer, either CPE or JS? Four letters.

3 Across: Atmospheric gas. Eight letters.

9 Across: Celebrated Russian playwright. Seven letters.

10 Across: Capable of being defended.Five letters.

11 Across: Succumb to dizziness. Five letters.

12 Across: To vex or bother someone.Six letters.

14 Across: A phrase from a military campaign era; three words with the first two having three and the last seven characters respectively.

17 Across: Sometimes a meat vendor? Six letters.

19 Across: Auctioneer’s tool (informal) – five letters.

< span >22 across: Nonsense or silliness – five characters
< p >< span >23 across : A cherished pet – seven characters

< span >24 across : Improve (as in visual quality) – eight characters

< span >25 across : The numeral following eleven – four characters