SEMI. the name of a French family, distinguished both in arms and letters. It is of Limousin origin, and was known there, it is said, as far back as the 9th century. The first, however, that specially merits notice was HENRI FirtAfccots, comm de Segni. (born 1689, died 1751), an able French gen. in the war of the Austrian succession. Ills son, Prompt% IIENex, marquis de Segur (born 1724, died 1801), fot:gl-t in the seven years' war, obtained the dignity of mareehal de France in 1783, and outlived in his retire ment the stormy scenes of the revolution. The eldest son of this Philippe llenri was LOUIS PUILIPPE, comic de Segni. (born 1753, died 1830), a vivid dashing ,sort of nom, for some years ambassador at the court of St. Petersburg, and a great favorite with Catharine H. Of impressionable fancy. full of enthusiasm for the "philosophers," the "reign of reason," " new ideas" generally, he hailed the great revolution with delight, but took no prominent part in it. His public career during the empire was respectable. but not brilliant; hut one notices with satisfaction that he retained in extreme old age that love of liberty that marked his early years; the last act of his life being an eulogium on the revolution of July. As a writer, Segur has in wonderful per
fection ihe national graces of style and spirit. Among his numerous writings are: Pen sires Politiques (Par. 1795); Ilistoire de Frederic °stalemate II. (Par. 1800); Coates, Fables, Chansons et Vet's (Par. 1801); and Memoires on Souvenirs et Anecdotes (Par. 1824). Ile left two sons, OCTAVE and PACs. Puthirms. the latter of whom (who was born in 1780) was a gen. of the first empire, took part in the fatal expedition to Russia in 1812, and wrote tile etory of the campaign, leidoire de .Napoleon et de la Grande Armee pendant l'annee 1,312 (Par. 2 vols., 1824)7 The work has had an immense success, and has been tran.,lated into almost all the languages of Europe. Other works of the comte Paul; Philippe de Scgur arc: Leltre sur ld Campagne du G4neral Macdonald dens lea Orisons 1:302); Ilist,u4're de Russia et de Pierre le Grand (Par. 1829); Ills•oire de Charles VIII, Rai l'•ance (Par. 1834); etc.
52.07•1, a river in the s.e. of Spain, rises in the Sierra Seca, and after an a s.e. course of a'.out 180 m., enters the Mediterranean 27 m. below Orihuela. Ships uuload at its mouth.