RECORDER

The chief judicial officer of a borough or city, exercising within it in criminal matters the jurisdiction of a court of record; whence his title is derived. This jurisdiction is now made uniform in extent throughout all boroughs, and is rendered equal to that of tlie quarter se ions of a county. Recorders were formerly chosen without restriction by the corporations with which they were connected; but by the existing municipal system the appointment is vested in the crown, and the selection is confined to barristers of five years' standing. Recorder. The name of a musical instrument somewhat resembling the flageolet, formerly in use in this country. It had a peculiarly pleasing tone; hence Milton speaks of The Dorian mood Of flutes and soft recorders. The etymology of the term is involved in great obscurity. RECOVERY, or [s. 1040]