Editing James Boswell (section)

===Earl of Dumfries===

Boswell became quite friendly with the [[Patrick McDouall-Crichton, 6th Earl of Dumfries|6th Earl of Dumfries]]. As well as seeing him in Scotland, he also visited him in Rosemount, London in 1787 and 1788.
In Boswell's journal of November 2, 1778, he writes, "[The Earl of Dumfries] was exceedingly attentive to me [...] I was upon my guard, as I well knew that he and his Countess flattered themselves that they would get from me that road through our estate which my father had refused, and which in truth I was still more positive for refusing".  He saw the Earl as ''“very attentive”''.

Having hosted the Earl, Boswell and his wife also decide to visit [[Dumfries House]] "[o]ur visit was a little awkward, as there had been no communication between the families for several of the last years of my father's life [...] I, however, wished to live on civil terms with such near neighbours".

On October 27, 1782, Boswell writes, "we looked at Lord Dumfries's gate and the famous road. [...] I showed him that granting it would make the Auchinleck improvements appear part of the Earl of Dumfries's domains. [...] If Lord Eglinton – if my Earl – were Earl of Dumfries and living at Dumfries House, he should have the road, but not to him and his heirs."