No 13189, Monday 08 Mar 2021, Skuldugger

Solution to 16D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

1   Enlightens polite hipsters every so often (9) CIVILISES {CIVIL}{hIpStErS}

6   Cloak for head (4) CAPE [DD]

8   Strongman almost pulverised small unit (8) ANGSTROM STRONGMAn*

9   Don sackcloth and ashes and tear around Peru (6) REPENT {RE{PE}NT}

10 Rodeo that cowmen bulldozed signified return to reality (4,4,2,5) COME DOWN TO EARTH*

11 Innards of farm animals, livestock primarily (5) OFFAL {OF}{Farm}{An...s}{Li...k}

13 Current government controlling houses (8) REIGNING [DD] (Addendum - {REI{G}NING} - See comments)

15 Illicit drawings German institute acquired after manipulating tariff (8) GRAFFITI {G}{TARIFF*}{I}

18 Snake seen off and on in tree (5) ASPEN {ASP}{sEeN}

20 Collect donations from unorthodox Pharaoh’s student (4,3,3,5) PASS THE HAT ROUND*

23 First cake Alice baked for gluten-intolerant chap (6) CELIAC {Cake}{ALICE*}

24 Dramatic skits ran in old language (8) SANSKRIT*

25 Small matter for an associate of Dick and Harry (4) ATOM {A}{TOM}

26 Prince alluded to being held in high esteem (9) PREFERRED {P}{REFERRED}

DOWN

1   Kind of optimistic attitude exhibited by 50% of canids (dogs) (3-2) CAN-DO {CANids}{DOgs}

2   Run-down vicars without energy, guts (7) VISCERA {VISC{E}RA*}

3   Slow and dignified mythical ship at bottom of lake (5) LARGO {ARGO}<=>{L}

4   Lecture in future minister’s preparatory cut short (7) SEMINAR SEMINARy

5   Cynical of advanced experimentation into using sound waves (8) SARDONIC {S{ARD}ONIC}

6   Paint splatter under accountant’s head (7) CAPTAIN {PAINT*}<=>{CA}

7   Regret informal night surrounded by money (9) PENITENCE {PE{NITE}NCE}

12 Meant to wander under steadfast sky (9) FIRMAMENT {MEANT*}<=>{FIRM}

14 Post-date suggestion involving throwing back booze and animated chat with Penny (8) NIGHTCAP {GIN<=}{CHAT*}{P}

16 Mussolini’s system for division to leave Hungary after France advanced (7) F?S?I?M (Addendum - FASCISM - {SChISM}<=>{F}{A} - See comments))

17 Repent at leisure if you act thus, proverbially (2,5) IN HASTE [CD]

19 Rude gesture by queen in pool (7) SNOOKER {SNOOK}{ER}

21 Wingless wasp’s colour (5) TINGE sTINGEr

22 Diana bewitched water nymph (5) NAIAD*

Reference List

Government = G, German = G, Institute = I, Prince = P, Energy = E, Lake = L, Penny = P, Hungary = H, France = F, Advanced = A, Queen = ER