This is a vintage, black and white illustration depicting a comet streaking across the night sky above a city. The comet is the dominant feature, appearing as a bright, elongated form with a distinct head and a long, trailing tail. The tail is composed of numerous fine, parallel lines, suggesting a luminous, gaseous structure. The head of the comet is brighter and more concentrated, with a slightly irregular shape. Below the comet, a detailed cityscape is visible. It appears to be a European city with numerous buildings, including churches with spires, towers, and densely packed structures. The buildings are rendered with intricate details, suggesting a historical or artistic representation. The cityscape is silhouetted against the dark sky, creating a strong contrast with the bright comet above. The overall style of the illustration is reminiscent of 19th-century scientific or astronomical drawings, with a focus on detail and accuracy. The image is labeled 'Fig. 4. - Comet of 1811.'