“Perfected Domesticity”

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 222, 18 September 1943, Page 2

“Perfected Domesticity”

Airs. G. Bernard Shaw, whose death occurred a few days ago, was, before her marriage, Miss Charlotte Frances Payne-Townshend, whom Shaw described as an lt lrish millionairess." Their marriage took place on June 1, 1898. Air. Archibald Henderson, in his biography of tho dramatist, described the home life of the Shaws as "one of the modern miracles of perfected domesticity and quiet congeniality, early Victorian in naturalness and simplicity." Airs. Shaw was a woman of pronounced views, yet calm and unobtrusive. She played an important part in tho affairs of the Fabian Society when that organisation numbered some of the most famous radical thinkers of the time. She also contributed liberally towards the founding of the London School of Economics, one of the directors of which was the late Mr. Pember Reeves, a member of Mr. Seddon’s Alinistry, who resigned to take up the position of Agent-General in London. Mrs. Shaw translated and circulated at her own expense some of the plays of the outspoken French dramatist, Eugene Brieu, and was to the fore in many progressive movements in the nineties. Summing up her character, Mr. Henderson says: "Graciousness and kindliness are the most conspicuous traits of this well-mannered lady, with her charming smile, green eyes, and Irish voice.”