Lardner oversaw seven editions of The Steam Engine Familiarly Explained and Illustrated during the 1830s.
In 1840 (after this song was published) Lardner was involved in scandal which led to him being sued for criminal conversation [adultery], and losing an £8000 judgment.
Reference:
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (accessed 16May21)
Mechanics' institutes were formed to provide adult education, particularly in technical subjects, to working men. They were often funded by local industrialists who expected to benefit from having more knowledgeable and skilled employees. The mechanics' institutes were used as "libraries" for the adult working class, and provided an alternative pastime to gambling and drinking in pubs.
Manchester Mechanics' Institute, Cooper Street, opened in 1825
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanics%27_institutes (accessed 29Oct2020)
William Huskisson (1823 - 1830) Member of Parliament for Liverpool was fatally injured when he was run down by a locomotive at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester railway 1830.
Reference:
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (accessed 28Oct2020)
The Liverpool and Manchester Railway was intended to carry imported cotton from Liverpool to the textile mills of Manchester to be made into cloth which could be carried back by the railway to Liverpool docks. At first only a few carriages were set aside for passengers but the huge demand for seats rapidly led to the development of a regular passenger service.
Workers were summoned by the factory bell.