is a person appointed by Her Majesty, by warrant under the sign-manual, as the chief judicial officer of a borough or city having a court of quarter-sessions. His salary is fixed by the council of the borough, and he holds his office during good behaviour. He is placed next in rank to the mayor, and is the sole judge of the court of quarter-sessions, and where there is such, of any court of record for the trial of civil actions. The mayor and recorder are respectively, ex officio, justices of the peace within the borough. The recorders were formerly chosen by the corporations.