COMMERCY  , a

town of north-eastern France, capital of an arrondissement in the department of Meuse, on the left bank of the Meuse, 26 m . E. of Bar-le-Duc by rail . Pop . (1906) 5622 . Commercy possesses a chateau of the 17th century, now used as cavalry barracks, a Benedictine convent occupied by a training-college for primary teachers, and a communal college for boys . A statue of Dom Calmet, the historian, born in the vicinity, stands in one of the squares . The industries include iron-working and the manufacture of nails, boots and shoes, embroidery and hosiery . The town has trade in cattle, grain and wood, and is well known for its cakes (madeleines) . Commercy dates back to the 9th century, and at that time its lords were dependent on the bishop of Metz . In 1544 it was besieged by Charles V. in person . For some time the lordship was in the hands of Francois Paul de Gondi, cardinal de Retz, who lived in the town for a number of years, and there composed his memoirs . From him it was purchased by Charles IV., duke of Lorraine .

In 1744 it became the

residence of Stanislas, king of Poland, who spent a great deal of care on the embellishment of the town, castle and neighbourhood .