EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       [SALOMON SMITH BARNEY LETTERHEAD]
 
                      CONSENT OF SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
 
  We hereby consent to the use in the Registration Statement of Eastern
Enterprises on Form S-4, and in the related Joint Proxy Statement of Eastern
Enterprises/Colonial Gas Company, of our opinion dated October 17, 1998
appearing as Annex C to such Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and to the
description therein of such opinion and to the references therein to us under
the headings "SUMMARY--The Colonial Special Meeting--Fairness Opinion of
Colonial's Financial Advisor" and "THE MERGER--Opinion of Colonial's Financial
Advisor." In giving the foregoing consent, we do not admit that we come within
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, nor do we admit that we are experts with
respect to any part of such Registration Statement within the meaning of the
term "experts" as used in the Securities Act or the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
 
/s/ Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
 
New York, New York
December 16, 1998