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 i nows made uniform in extent throughout all boroughs, and is rendered equal to that of the 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 barris ters of five years' standing. Recorder. The name of a musical instrument somewhat resembling the flageolet, formerly in use in this counof try.Ithad a peculiarly pleasing tone; hence Milton speaks The Dorian mood Of flutes ai,d soft recorders. The etymology of the term is involved in great obscurity. RECOVERY, or [s. 1048]