The allusion appears to be to the formula used by the senate for conferring supreme power on the consuls in cases of emergency: "Dare operam, ne quid respublica detrimenti caperet." (See Sallust, _Bell. Cat._ c. 29.)
Aristotle regards the safety of the citizens as the great end of law (see his _Ethics_, b. I. ch. 4.); and Cicero (_de Finibus_, lib. ii. c. 5.) lays down a similar principle.
_Theodoro Paleologus_ (Vol. viii., p. 408.).--The inscription referred to was printed in _Archæologia_, vol. xviii., and with some account of the Paleologi to which a Querist was referred in "N. & Q.," Vol. v., p. 280. (see also pp. 173. 357.). It is astonishing how much will be found in that "Californian mine," if the most excellent indices of the several volumes are only consulted. Your correspondent could in the present case have pointed out the errors of the inscription already in print had the indices to "N. & Q." attracted him.
_Worm in Books_ (Vol. viii., p. 412).--In reply to ALETHES I beg to acquaint him that I have tried various means for destroying the worm in old books and MSS., and the most effectual has been the chips of Russia leather; indeed, in but one instance have I known them fail.
_The Porter Family_ (Vol. viii., p. 364.).--1. The reason of the word _Agincourt_ being placed above the inscription in Bristol Cathedral is, that the Porter family were descendants of Sir William Porter who fought at Agincourt.
2. Charles Lempriere Porter was the son of Dr. Porter.
3. This family was descended from Endymion Porter of classic and loyal memory.[3]
[Footnote 3: [The biographical notices of Endymion Porter are extremely scanty. Can our correspondent furnish any particulars respecting him?--ED.]]
_Buckle_ (Vol. viii., p. 304.).--This word is in common use by the artizans who work upon sheet-iron, to denote the curl which a sheet of iron acquires in passing through a pair of rollers. The word has been derived from the French _boucle_, a curl. The shoe-buckle has got its name from its curved form. In the days in which every man in this country, who was in easy circumstances, wore a wig, it was well known that to put a wig in _buckle_, meant to arrange its curls in due form.
"When Hopkins dies, a thousand lights attend The wretch, who living sav'd a candle's end: Should'ring God's altar a vile image stands, Belies his features, nay, extends his hands; That live-long wig which Gorgon's self might own, Eternal _buckle_ takes in Parian stone."--Pope, _Moral Essays_, Epistle III.