Under the Greenwood Tree was first brought out in the summer of 187Z in two volumes. The name of the story was originally intended to be, more appropriately, The Mellstock Quire, and this has been appended as a sub-title since the early editions, it having been thought unadvisable to displace for it the title by which the book first became known.

...

Hardy's sunniest work, Under the Creenwood Tree is also the first in the great series of Wessex novels.

Two newcomers settle in the village of Mellstock bringing change and disruption to the rural inhabitants. Mr Maybold, the vicar, is hot and strong on church business, but his plans to incorporate the new-fangled organ cause offence to the old-fashioned ecclesiastical musicians. Fancy Day, the school teacher and a flower among vegetables, has an equally upsetting effect upon the hearts of younger men.

Hardy drew on his own childhood, experiences to paint this affectionate, unsentimental but often comic portrait of rustic society touched by progress.

  PART I--WINTER

CHAP.

I. MELLSTOCK-LANE

  IL THE TRNTER'S

 III. THE ASSEMBLED QUIRE

 IV. GOING THE ROUNDS

  V. THE LISTENEES

 VI. CHRISTMAS MORNING

VII. THE TRANTER'S PARTY

VIII. THEY DANCE XORN WILDLY

 IX. DICK CALLS AT THE SCHOOL

  PART II---SPRING

I. PASSING BY THE SCHOOL

  II. A MEETING OF THE QUIRE

 III. An TURN IN THE DISCUSSION

  IV. THE INTERVIEW WITH THE VICAR

V. RETURNING HOMEWARD

VI. YALBURY WOOD AND THE KEEPER'S HOUSE

 VII. DICK MAKES HIMSELF USEFUL

VIII." DICK MEETS HIS FATHER

  PART III--SUMMER

  I. DRIVING OUT OF BUDMOUTH

II. FURTHER ALONG THE ROAD

 III. A CONFESSION

  IV. AS ARRANGEMENT

  PART IV--AUTUMN

CLAP.

I. GOING NUTTING

II. HONEY-TAKING, AND AFTERWARDS

  III. FANCY IN THE RAIN

  IV. THE SPELL

V. AFTER GAINING HEE POINT

  VI. INTO TEMPTATION

 VII. SECOND THOUGHTS

  PART V--CONCLUSION

I. " THE KNOT THERE'S NOo UNTYING "

II. UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE