fa. and abated the suit; or if the cause had been proceeded in, without their appearance, and judgment entered against them, it would have been erroneous, not affecting their rights. Love v. Scott, 26 N.C. 79. The defendants came too late; the time was passed for them to make their motion; their appearance cured the defect complained of. There is a proper time and mode for taking advantage of errors in proceedings. If there (123) has been no process, or if it be defective in point or form, or in its direction, service or nature, the defendant may move to set aside the proceedings for irregularity. But he cannot, after he has appeared, take advantage of any such error.