They were entirely exempted from military service and almost entirely exempted from taxation.

Altogether their lines fell in very pleasant places.

In material and moral well-being they stand as far above the majority of the ordinary German colonists as these latter do above their Russian neighbours.

Even in the richest districts of Germany their prosperity would attract attention.

To compare these rich, privileged, well-educated farmers with the poor, heavily taxed, uneducated peasantry, and to draw from the comparison conclusions concerning the capabilities of the two races, is a proceeding so absurd that it requires no further comment.
To the wearied traveller who has been living for some time in Russian villages, one of these Mennonite colonies seems an earthly paradise.