Asseline, Jean Rene

Asseline, Jean. Rene a learned French prelate, was born in Paris in 1742. He was the son of a domestic of the house of the duke of Orleans, who bore the expense of his education. He studied at Paris at the College of Navarre, and became professor .of Hebrew at the Sorbonne. Appointed bishop of Bologna in 1790, he showed himself opposed to the principles of the Revolution. . By his eloquence he converted the celebrated count of Stolberg to Catholicism. In 1798 he edited the Instruction Pastorale sur l'Autorite Spirituelle de l'Eglise, which was approved by four bishops of France. At the death of abbot Edgeworth, Asseline succeeded him as confessor of Louis XVIII, whom he accompanied in his retreat to Hartwell in 1808. 'He died April 10, 1813.. He wrote, Considerations sur le Mystere de la Croix (Lyons, 1806) :-Exposition Abregee du Symbole des Apotres (Paris, 1806) :--Euvres Choisies (ibid. 1823). See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.