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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.4
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated January 23, 1998
included in Eastern Enterprises' and subsidiaries' Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and to all references to our firm included in this
Registration Statement.
 
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
May 7, 1998