Chapter Secret Tribunal to Serbonian Bog of S by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Segontiari, inhabitants of parts of Hampshire and Berkshire, referred to in the Commentaries of Cæsar.

Seicento , the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries of Italian notables, the period of bad taste and degenerate art. The degraded art is termed Seicentista, and the notables of the period the Seicentisti. The style of writing was inflated and bombastic, and that of art was what is termed “rococo.” The chief poet was Marini (1569–1615), the chief painter Caravaggio (1569–1609), the chief sculptor Bernini (1593–1680), and the chief architect Borromini (1599–1667).

Seidel-Beckir, the most famous of all talismanists. He made three of extraordinary power: viz. a little golden fish, which would fetch from the sea whatever was desired of it; a poniard, which rendered the person who bore it invisible, and all others whom he wished to be so; and a steel ring, which enabled the wearer to read the secrets of another’s heart.—Comte de Caylus: Oriental Tales (“The Four Talismans,” 1743).

Seine (I syl.), put for Paris. Tennyson calls the red republicanism of Paris, “The red fool-fury of the Seine.”

Setting the Seine on fire. The Seine is a drag-net as well as a river. Hence drag-men are called in French les pêcheurs à la seine. “He’ll never set the Thames on fire” is a similar pun, a temse being a sieve for sifting flour, as well as the river (French tamis, Italian tamiso, “a sieve,” verb tamisare, “to sift”).

Sejanus (Ælius), a minister of Tiberius, and commander of the prætorian guards. His affability made him a great favourite. In order that he might be the foremost man of Rome, all the children and grandchildren of the emperor were put to death under sundry pretences. Drusus, the son of Tiberius, then fell a victim. Sejanus next persuaded the emperor to retire, and Tiberius went to Campania; but when the administrator assumed the title of emperor, Tiberius, roused from his lethargy, accused him of treason. The senate condemned him to be strangled, and his remains, being treated with the grossest contumely, were kicked into the Tiber, A. D. 31.

(This was the subject of Ben Jonson’s first historical play, entitled Sejanus, 1603.)

Sejjin or Sejn, the record of all evil deeds, whether by men or the genii, kept by the recording angel. It also means that dungeon beneath the seventh earth, where Eblis and his companions are confined.

Verily, the register of the deeds of the wicked is surely in Sejjin.—Sale: Al Korân, ixxxiii.

Selborne (Earl of). (See PALMER, Roundell, p. 798.)

Selby (Captain), an officer in the guards.—Sir W. Scott: Peveril of the Peak (time, Charles II.).

Self-denying Ordinance (The), the name given to an Act passed by the Long Parliament (December 9, 1644), by which the members bound themselves not to accept certain posts, particularly commands in the army.

A somewhat similar ordinance was adopted by the Melbourne Parliament in 1858.

The name was given also to an arrangement made respecting British naval promotions and retirements in 1870.

SELIM, son of Abdallah, who was murdered by his brother Giaffir (p acha of Abydos). After the death of his brother, Giaffir took Selim under his charge and brought him up, but treated him with considerable cruelty. Giaffir had a daughter named Zuleika , with whom Selim fell in love; but Zuleika thought he was her brother. As soon as Giaffir discovered the attachment of the two cousins, he informed his daughter that he intended her to marry Osmyn Bey; but Zuleika eloped with Selim, the pacha pursued after them, Selim was shot, Zuleika killed herself, and Giaffir was left childless and alone.— Byron: Bride of Abydos (1813).