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I'm with Dylan and Simond9x in that I cannot solve 23 across, although I am fairly certain that it is thematic. Is it too early for a subtle hint?

It is indeed thematic (and arguably the most well known of the six).

Knowing that, there are only so many possibilities that fit, but it’s a case of working out the parse from the entry, rather than the other way round. Answer is in Chambers.

Hi all
I have an answer for 38, which i believe could be one of the seven. However, I cannot see why the symbol might represent part of it.
A hint to parsing 42 would be appreciated...
Apart from that, it's just the final 2 lines I'm not seeing.

Opto.
23a def is 'split properties'.
3 letter 'because' followed by 4 letter 'county' abated (shortened) followed by 5 letter 'letters'. Then insert 'duke'.

42A is thematic.

38D is a straightforward DD.

Thanks HW7
I had had LOG as my dd answer to 38 down for a long time!
Even though I had thought of joking that I hadn't the patience for 38, the penny hadn't dropped that that is indeed a book!
Now to figure out the final 2 lines!

Nice puzzle and I got the quotation despite initially having 9 extra words. My only doubt is the exact position of the final two lines. I have a solution that goes through 7 cells, but the letters don't spell anything. Should they? The nearby cells don't suggest a meaningful alternative.

Thanks Hotelwhiskey7 and Delap: I have 23 across now. I have inserted the five lines, but not sure about the other two, although I can see a possible solution to which 23 across could apply. I was, however, expecting the seven cells to contain something thematic, which they do not. Some more thought is needed.

Mack - the final 2 lines do spell out a relevant word

Thanks, JBird. I see what you mean. My quibble with that is that where the fifth line ends and the final picture suggest he would have survived!