New Britain herald., 1929-07-05
ISHBEL MACDONALD l YOUNGEST HOSTESS
Premier'S Daughter Only "A But
 Is Proved Already


 Downing street as the Prime Min ister of Great Britain for the sec ond time, his eldest daughter, Miss Ishbel, once more will fill the diff ficult position of hostess in the ram- bling old house provided by the gov ernment for it's chief minister She thus will again become the most conspicuous young woman in the kingdom, except for members ot the royal family.
 Five years ago. when her father suddenly was called to the post or Prime Minister, she was a glrl or 20, studying domestic and soclai science at Kings College, London with a view to fitting herself for social welfare work in which. she always has been deeply interested The hearts of English women went out to the young girl who was fore ed into such a prominent place, With so little warning. Macdonald IS widower, but his daughter showed a boise and a knowledge which was little expected in one so young.
 At that time, the wife of well known old party politician, and her- self a great social leader, wrote to the girl, offering to help her choose her frocks and to give her some points in court eitquet, as she was sure to be presented at the next court held by their majesties.
 ot ('OIIpt
 Miss Ishbels reply was snort sweet and final:
 Thank you very much, but l have already chosen my gowns and l think I shall know how to behave at court
 Before the family moved in, she visited No. 10 and was shown all over the place by Mrs. Baldwln' wife of the retiring Pr .mier, who this time is again the one to move out.
 No. 10 is very old and is hard place in which to keep house, be- cause of it's very large kitchens and it's many staircases. The gov ernment supplies most of the fur niture, the cooking utensils, the brooms and brushes, but the glass and china and the linen are sup piled by the tenant. Miss lshbel never kept house for her father at their simple home in Hampstead. They had a Scotch housekeeper who has been with the family for many years. In fact, she saw Ala stair, the Premier's eldest son, grow up to manhood and marry and settle down for himself; she saw the other son, Malcolm, grow up to graduate from Oxford and this time himself be elected to Parliament. and she also looked after the three daughters of the house - Misses Ishbel, Joan and Sheila.
 Youngest Hostess
 Five years ago Miss Ishbel was the youngest hostess in the his tory of No. 10. Although now nearly 25. she still is the youngest hostess in English history. The last time she was a success from
 
 she succeeded in imparting an at mosphere of home to some of the rooms where her father could get away from the cares of state.
 The family's own sitting room was very plainly furnished-gray paper on the walls, two writing desks. a few chintz covered chairs. There was only one pie ture on the wall-a framed photo- graph of seat in Lincolns Inn Field 'inscribed:
 This seat has been placed here in memory of Margaret MacDon- ald, who spent her life in help, ing others. She took no rest for doing good'
 The picture was significant. l. was symbolic of the great love the Socialist leader bears for the memory of his dead wife and the equal worship the children have for her.
 Queen Likes Her
 At that time. Miss 1shbel us- ing the slang of her college, called herself ''an awful vedge," which means that she neither smokes, sWears, drinks nor dances. She thus is the kind of girl who ap- peals to Queen Mary. The royal family had her and her father as Easter guests at Windsor Castle and afterward the Queen described her as a charming girl.
 Since she left No. 10 and re- turned to Hampstead, Ishbel has led busy, happy life. She fin ished her studies, travelled with her father in the United States in 1927 and in Canada in 1928. She showed herself fluent speaker in public while helping both her father and brother campaign for Parliament.
 She herself was elected 10 the London County Council for the Poplar division and takes a very active part in its debates.
 One of the most charming in cidents in her popular life oc- cured when her father, as Prime Minister was entertained by the Press Club. It also happened to be the time she was celebrating her coming of age. The club sent her silver ink stand inscribed:
 From the London Press Club to 1shhel with love on her twen- tyfirst birthday"
 On another side were the nlquant words:
 Say what you like, but be careful what you write"
 AUTO HITS TWO TREES
 Frank H. Cossima of o3 Cleveland street received cuts about his face and left leg when he tried to avoid