An appeal from a judgment in ejectment and an order denying a new trial. The grounds of the contention of the appellants are that the court below abused its discretion in not allowing a continuance of the cause upon their motion, and in denying their motion for a new trial based upon surprise which ordinary prudence could not have guarded against. The action of the court, under the circumstances (as stated in the affidavits used in the motions to set aside the judgment and for a new trial), in going on with the trial of the case in violation, as it is alleged, of one of its rules, was not erroneous. Such rules are but “a means to accomplish the ends of justice,” and it is always in the power *70of the court to suspend its own rules, or to except a particular case from their operation, whenever the purposes of justice require it: Pickett v. Wallace, 54 Cal. 147, and cases cited. The affidavits were conflicting as to the question of surprise, and the court below cannot be said to have acted without the exercise of a proper discretion. The defendants have been deprived of no legal right, and the judgment and order should be affirmed.

We concur: Belcher, C. C.; Hayne, C.

For the reasons given in the foregoing opinion the judgment and order are affirmed.