When he reached the age of twelve Michael was apprenticed to a stationer and bookbinder named Mr. George Riebau. One of the lad’s duties was to take around the newspapers which his master loaned to customers, and then later in the day he called for them. On Sunday mornings Michael delivered these newspapers very early and then tried to collect them again before church time, although he did not always succeed, for some people then, as now, did not like to be hurried when reading their papers. During the days of his apprenticeship Michael worked hard and his hours were long, but he was not unhappy, for Mr. Riebau, his master, was kinder than most employers seem to have been in those days. Evidently his parents were pleased with the way in which he was getting along, for in 1809 his father wrote: “Michael is now learning to be a bookbinder and stationer, and is doing well. He has been the most part of four years out of seven. He has a good master and mistress and he likes his place well. He had it hard for a time at first, but as the old saying goes, he has got the head above water, and there are two other boys under him now.” Whenever Michael had a spare moment at noon or in the evenings, he read some of the books that he was binding. When he was given the “Encyclopædia Britannica” to bind he eagerly turned over to the place where the subject of electricity was treated and read every word. He was very much interested in this subject and began to make experiments. He made a small electrical machine and although it cost only a few pennies, it afforded him endless amusement and gave him a start along the line where his chief interest lay. One day he saw an announcement that a Mr. Tatum was to give some lectures on natural philosophy at his own home. The charge for admission was one shilling. Michael was exceedingly anxious to go, but he did not have the money. His brother, Robert, three years older than Michael, was so pleased to find Michael interested in such a subject that he gave him the money, and with eager steps Michael sought out Mr. Tatum’s home at the appointed time. He attended all the lectures and made careful notes as the speaker went on. One day a customer at the shop where Michael worked asked him to attend four lectures by Sir Humphry Davy at the Royal Institution. This was an unexpected pleasure and Michael sat spell-bound as the scientist talked and then made experiments. One day, soon afterwards, he wrote a letter to Sir Humphry Davy, telling of his great interest in science, and enclosing the notes he had made of Sir Humphry’s lectures. The scientist replied to Michael’s letter saying that he was leaving the city, but would remember him when he returned.