EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ---------------------------------- We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated January 31, 1996 appearing on page 40 of New England Investment Companies, L.P.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995. PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP Boston, Massachusetts December 27, 1996