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 New England
Investment Companies, L.P. of our report dated January 27, 1997 appearing on
page 34 of New England Investment Companies, L.P.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1996.
 
                                          Price Waterhouse LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
   
January 28, 1998