Bekesbourne.
_The first Woman formed from a Rib_ (Vol. ii., p. 213.).--As you have
given insertion to an extract of a sermon on the subject of the creation
of Eve, I trust you will allow me to refer your correspondent
BALLIOLENSIS to Matthew Henry's commentary on the second chapter of
Genesis, from which I extract the following beautiful explanation of the
reason why the _rib_ was selected as the material whereof the woman
should be created:--
"Fourthly, that the woman was made of a rib out of the side of
Adam; not made out of his head to top him, nor out of his feet
to be trampled upon by him; but out of his side to be equal with
him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be
beloved."