Toughie No 1405 by Giovanni
Hints and tips by Toro
+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - +
BD Rating - Difficulty ** - Enjoyment *****
Four English novelists, an English philosopher, at least three saints, Oxford shoes (and academics), a cathedral city, a classical language and a Tribe of Israel. Yes, folks, it's the Don, who is all over the papers today on the occasion of his 70th birthday. (Mind you, there is a piece of multicultural English slang in there too!)
[EDIT: Not just all over the papers, but all over this puzzle too -- look carefully!]
Happy birthday, Don Manley, and thank you for a characteristically flawless puzzle pitched just at the right level for a Tuesday Toughie.