The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-22

ness a circus performance than it is now when simultaneous performances are given in three rings and on two stages, thereby confusing and distracting the be- holder
 Tn a conversation with Mir. Hemmngs the other day. I learned many interesting things about him, about people with whom he had been associated and about events of the past with which he had been con nected Although man seventy-four years of age MT Hemmings retains much of the vigor of youth, has retentlVe memory. is an entertaining conversation alist and it is a pleasure to talk with him. Mr. Hemmings comes of family of show people He was a member of the famous Hemmings family of acrobats that creat- ed such a sensation in England three quarters of a century ago, so astonlshing the public by the demand among CIT cuses, but they were even engaged to appear between acts as special feature in great dramatic, operatc and spectacu- lar productions. So that this explodes the statement that the custom of intro ducing vaudeville features between the acts of drama or other production IS an invention of latter days.
 "Yes," said MT. Hemmings, '1 was practically raised behind the scenes. My fahter was an actor and traVeled TOT wears with Eu1nunu 1Ntdiis lile SlVht hio gedian My uncle used to bring me into the dressing room in long dresses
 and when I was stl in long dresses appeared in the pantomme of The Old
 Woman in The Shoe.
 "When I became old enough to do ac-
 robatic stunts, which was al very ten
 der age, my fathers brother, of the Hem
 mings troupe of Acrobats, adopted me and I travelled with him until 1S49 when fall a Nyiptip1 in endemic Of cholera"
 The Hemmings Troupe of Acrobats made a great hit in their duplication of what is known as the "Rizley' act. This act was introduced in England by D. Ridley and his company of American per formers, and the Hemming Troupe adopt ed the act.
 Mir Hemming exhibits many old circus bills and theatrical programs of perfor- mances given away back in the 4Vs m England not only in London, but in the provinces as well, at which the Hem mings Troupe or Professor Hemmings and his sons" are billed to appear. It seems from these bills that the art of advertising then practically unknown in commercial circles, was pretty well ad- vanced so far as the circus business was concerned The papers also gave press notices then as now.
 MT Hemmings showed me numerous press notices. Here Is one from a London paper: "That which seems to excite the most astonishment and to draw out the loudest cheers was the inimitable enter tainment la Ridley of Prof. Hemmings and his infant. The little boy seems already to have acquired such agility and flexibility of muscle as to be able to twist and turn his body into all possible shapes He is really a most promising child and will doubtless one day be one of the most expert performers in the rings. Some of his other requirements are throwing summersaults. Ihe httie boy' referred to was MT. Hemmings.
 MT. Hemmings has another bill of performance given at the Royal Gardens at FoxhalL under the direction of Robert Wordell, where Professor Hemmings and his infant sons were feature, and on the bill appeared also Juba, who was then touring England with the Pelham Troupe of American Minstrels They were all white but Juba, who was colored boy and a remarkable jig dancer This boy
 Juba was sensation in those days on both continents and his appearance and feats excited the liveliest interest 1T England. MT Hemmings showed me ! bill advertising the Royal Gardens al Foxhall in Nottingham, with the follow ing: ''Professor Hemmings and his sor will appear on the Dauet StdBe as lolioWS They will go through their eXtraordinarS
 feats of strength and agility a la Ridley
 They will perform some of the mos wonderful feats ever witnessed. Profes sor Hemmings lying on his back anc throwing the children in the air in sum , mersaults and catching them in various positions
 Nowadays. it Is quite the fad among performers. especially with leading mef and leading women with stock and rep
 ertoire companies, to present their pho tographs to admiring patrons at recep l tions While the custom of these presen | tations is not peculiar to these latter | days. is shown in another old bill tha I Mir. Hemmings has in his scrap book ad l vertjsing a performance in the Royal Cir | c,fs October 31st, 1S47. In this bill the fol ] lowing announcement is made "CARL | NOTICE-Professor Hemmings will pre-
 sent. gratis, a lithogravure of their acl | as performed by command before hei 1 most gracious majesty, Queen Victoria 1 Prince Albert and Her Royal Highness | the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince o' | Hesse. Parties wishing to purchase thest | lithogravures can have the same al , shilling apiece"
 That there were enterprislng showmer
 in those days as now is Illustrated by tht l following notice: Professor Hemmng: l in feats of gymnase and classical draw 1 ing room entertainment. The act will | take place in front of the colossal glass l curtain on a big scale of magnitude anc | splendor, and will form one of the mos | .br;lIino tobIears ever witnessed. Ths