When  the  pleadings  are  closed,  if  neither  party
2186  Intends  to  produce  und  examine  any  more  witnesses,
(either  may  pray  publication,  saving,  on  special  cir-
ctmistances,  the  examination  Of  some  particular  witness.*
It  may,  however,  be  stayed  on  sufficient  cause  shown  by
the  adverse  party,  iand  putting  in  a  new  pleading,  if  he
have  a  right  so  t6  do  ;  for  publication  cannot  pass  till  the
pleadings  are  exhausted,  and  the  witnesses  to  them  exam-
ined. But  the  party  must  be  ready  with  his  new  pleading
at  the  time ;  for  the  Court  will  determine  whether  pubhca-
tion  be  unreasonably  or  designedly  delayed,  or  a  commission
tediously  or  improperly  executed,  and  decide  accordingly,*
After  piiblicatioh  of  testimony,  an  exceptive  allegation
inay  be  made  to  the  evidence  of  a  witness  founded  on  his
subsequent  affidavit,  contradicting  his  former  testimony  j
for  though  such  declarations  are  suspicious,  they  are  not
excluded.^

Publication  having  passed,  and  the  copies  having  been
given  out,  if  the  witnesses  have  not  answered  the  interroga-
tories fully,  they  will  be  required  to  give  more  ifull  answers.
Exceptions  to  the  witnesses  inay  now  be  presented.
227  These  may  be  general,  offering  general  objections ;  or
they  may  be  special,  specifying  particular  facts,  causes,
and  reasons  of  exception.  Exceptions  may  be  to  their  persons,
as  that  they  are  of  infamous  character,  or  to  their  sayings,  that
ihiey  ar^cotitradictory,  or  repugnant,  or  extra-articulate.*
I'he  other  party  may  require,  it  is  said,  an  oath,  from  the  party
preferring  exceptions,  that  he  doth  not  except  for  the  sake  of

1  2  Bro.  Civ.  and  Ad.  Law,  425.  2  ibid,  425,  426.
3-1riie  Centijfridn, i'Hagg.R.  161.         '4  a/firb.Cir.aiid  Ad.  LdV,  436.
