I remember that my brother, when curate of a parish in Lincolnshire between
1838 and 1844, married a woman enveloped only in a sheet. He was of course
startled at the slenderness of her apparel; but as all the requisitions of
the law had been complied with, he did not feel himself at liberty to
refuse. He contented himself, therefore, with addressing the numerous
congregation on the behaviour he expected from them at a religious
ordinance, and all went off well. The reason for the bride so presenting
herself, was of course the popular opinion, that her new husband would not
be liable for her debts.