from The New Annual Register, 1819

(page 158)

A little before eight in the evening, a radiant appearance was observed in the heavens, a little above the northern hemisphere, which, so far as we could calculate without the assistance of instruments, was not many miles distant. It emitted vivid rays of light, as if from an immense furnace, from behind a dense and black cloud, which were successively followed by others, that expanded across the whole northern part of the firmament until they nearly reached the zenith. After having for some time formed most brilliant streamers, the electric matter was accumulated into one large, beautiful, and condensed arch of stationary light; and as the sky was fortunately very clear, it was beheld for more than an hour.