In the 16th century there was a long controversy between the professors of the University and those of the Jesuit College as to whether the town (“Pont”) or the castle (“Monçon” or “Mousson”) should have precedence, _i.e_. if one should say “_Ponti Mussum_” or “_Mussi Pontum_.” The dispute was settled and the name “_Ponti Mussum_” (Pont-à-Mousson) decreed by Duke Charles III. Nevertheless, the inhabitants still insist on calling themselves “_Mussipontins_.” Renaud I., Count of Bar, living a retired life in his château of Mousson, founded near the town in 1106 a priory dedicated to St. Michel, which he gave to the Abbey of St. Mihiel. In 1239 the “_Messins_” (inhabitants of Metz) broke down the bridge to prevent the Count of Bar communicating with his castle, but three years later they joined the Count of Bar against Duke Mathieu who, in revenge, burned down the little town of Pont. Enfranchised in 1263 by Count Thiébaut II., Pont-à-Mousson was raised to a marquisate in 1355 by Emperor Charles IV., and, in 1356, was granted the rights and privileges of an imperial town. Charles-the-Bold took possession of it in 1476, but it was retaken later by Duke René. However, the defection of his Swiss troops forced him to surrender it again to the Duke of Burgundy. What made the glory and prosperity of the town was the foundation of a University in 1572. The influx of students and the renown of the professors made Pont-à-Mousson famous until 1763, when the University was transferred to Nancy. The University encouraged the establishment of printing works, and volumes printed by Marchand and Melchior Bernard are still justly prized. Although an open town, Pont-à-Mousson was violently bombarded by the Germans as early as August 11, 1914. After a short occupation the town was liberated by the French on September 13, 1914. The bombardments were resumed and lasted till the end of the war. As to the part played by Pont-à-Mousson in the =Battle for the Grand Couronné Heights=, see the Michelin Guide, “=Nancy and the Grand Couronné.=” [Illustration: PLAN OF PONT-À-MOUSSON _Arbitrary Signs_ A.—Church of St. Laurent. B.—Church of St. Martin. C.—Lesser Seminary. H.—Hôtel-de-Ville. 1.—Rue du Port. 2.—Rue St. Laurent. 3.—Place Duroc. 4.—Rue de l’Union. 5.—Rue Gambetta. 6.—Rue St. Martin. 7.—Rue Victor Hugo. 8.—Place Thiers. 9.—Avenue Carnot. ] A VISIT TO PONT-À-MOUSSON. =Starting-point=: _Place Duroc (or Grand Place), in which stands the Hôtel-de-Ville_. Place Duroc, with its irregular arcades and Renaissance houses, presents a very characteristic appearance. [Illustration: PLACE DUROC, WITH ITS ARCADED HOUSES Maison Leguy: _the 3 first arcades, beginning at the turret. The 4th and 5th arcades belong to the_ House of the Seven Capital Sins.] _Visit first the_ “=House of the Seven Capital Sins=,” decorated with caryatids. _At the bottom of a court there is_ a fine bas-relief _representing The Conversion of St. Paul_.