[13] A "_demurrer_" is the mode by which any pleading, civil or criminal, is denied to be (whether in form or substance) sufficient in point of _law_; and a _plea_ is the mode by which is denied the _truth_ of the _facts_ which the pleading alleges. [14] Opinions of the Judges, p. 19. [15] Vol. I., pp. 68-9. [16] Williams v. Germaine, 7 Bar. and Cress. 476. [17] Opinions of the Judges, p. 17. [18] Judgment, (by Leahy,) p. 36. [19] Opinions of the Judges, p. 28. [20] Judgment, &c., p. 43. [21] Opinions of the Judges, p. 28. [22] Lord Denman's judgment. [23] Ditto. [24] Ante. [25] West's Symbolography, and Jacob's and Tomlin's Law. [26] Opinions of the Judges, p. 29. [27] 2 Bla. Comm. 169; and see Mr Christian's Note. MY COLLEGE FRIENDS. No. I JOHN BROWN. Did you ever happen to know a man who spent a whole Christmas vacation in Oxford, and survived it? I did. And this is how it came to pass. "Frank," said the governor one evening after dinner, when the conversation had turned upon my approaching return to college, and the ticklish question of supplies had been disposed of--"when the deuce do you mean to go up for your degree? I have a notion this next term is your fifteenth, young man?" "Why no, sir--that is, not exactly; you know"---- "Oh! true--I forgot that confounded rustication business. Well, it's your fourteenth at all events, and I think that's enough." "Well, sir, I was thinking to have a shy at it after Christmas." "Shy at it! You've always been _shying_ at it, I think. I hope it mayn't end in a _bolt_, Master Frank!" I laughed dutifully at the paternal wit, and promised to go to work in earnest the moment I reached Oxford. This was a resolution announced periodically like the ballot question, and with much the same result. So the governor only shook his head, yawned, looked at the bottle, which stood between us nearly empty, and prepared apparently for an adjournment. "I'll tell you what, sir," said I, emptying what remained in the decanter into my glass, and swallowing it with a desperate energy befitting the occasion, "I'll stay up the Christmas vacation and read." "The deuce will you! Why, Frank," continued the governor, sorely puzzled, "you know your cousins are coming here to spend the Christmas, and I thought we should all make a merry party. Why can't you read a little at home? You can get up something earlier, you know--much better for your health--and have two hours or so clear before breakfast--no time like the morning for reading--and then have all the day to yourself afterwards. Eh, why not, Frank?" "If you'll allow me to ring for another bottle of this Madeira, sir, (I declare I think it's better than our senior common-room have, and they don't consider theirs small-beer,) I'll tell you.----I never could read at home, sir; it's not in the nature of things." "I doubt whether it's much in your nature to read any where, Frank: I confess I don't see much signs of it when you are here."