<PAGE>

                                                   Registration No. 333-_____


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM S-8

                          REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                               EASTERN ENTERPRISES
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

MASSACHUSETTS                                               04-1270730
(State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)
                  9 Riverside Road, Weston, Massachusetts 02493
                  ---------------------------------------------
                 (Address of Principal Offices with) ( zip code)

        EASTERN ENTERPRISES 1996 NON-EMPLOYEE TRUSTEES STOCK OPTION PLAN
        ----------------------------------------------------------------
                            (Full title of the Plan)

                               L. William Law, Jr.
                               Eastern Enterprises
                                9 Riverside Road
                           Weston, Massachusetts 02493
                         -------------------------------
                     (Name and address of agent for service)

                                 (781) 647-2300
                ----------------------------------------------
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Proposed      Proposed
Title of                         Maximum       Maximum
Securities     Amount            Offering      Aggregate     Amount of
To Be          To Be             Price Per     Offering      Registration
Registered     Registered        Share (1      Price (1)     Fee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Common Stock,  75,000            $48.28125     $3,621,094    $1,006.66

$1.00 par value, with
related common stock
purchase rights
-------------------------
(1) Pursuant to Rules 457(f)(1) and 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the"Securities   Act")  and  estimated  solely  for  the  purpose  of
calculating the registration fee on the basis of the Eastern Common Stock to be
received as established  by of the  average  high and low prices of the Common
Stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on October 8, 1999.



<PAGE>


                                     Part II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.

        This registration statement incorporates by reference the documents set
forth  below that were previously  filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission by Eastern Enterprises (the "Company")(File No. 1-2297) and are made
a part of this registration statement.

o Eastern's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  December 31,
1998.

o Eastern's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999.

o Eastern's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999.

o Eastern's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed July 19, 1999, August 18, 1999
  and September 15, 1999.

o The  description  of Eastern  Common Stock  contained in its Form 8, filed
  on May 23, 1991,  amending its Registration  Statement on Form 8-A dated
  November 6, 1950.

o The   description  of  the  Eastern  common  stock  purchase  rights
  contained in Eastern's  Registration  Statement on Form 8-A filed on
  March 1, 1990, as amended.

o The  description  of the Eastern 1998 common stock  purchase  rights
  contained in Eastern's  Registration  Statement on Form 8-A filed on
  July 29, 1998.

     All  reports  and  other  documents  subsequently  filed by the  Company
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of  1934,  as  amended  (  the  "Exchange  Act"),  prior  to  the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby
have been sold or which  deregisters all securities then remaining  unsold,
shall be deemed to be incorporated  by reference herein and to be a part hereof
from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

Item 4.  Description of Securities.

           Not Required.

Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

           Not Applicable.

Item 6.  Indemnification of Trustees and Officers.

        The  Declaration  of Trust of the Company (the "Company's Charter")
provides that the trustees, officers and agents of the Company  generally shall
not be liable except for acts or failures to act which at the time would impose
<PAGE>

liability on such party if the Company were a Massachusetts business
corporation and such person was a director, officer or agent thereof. The
Company's Charter provides that it shall indemnify each of its trustees and
officers  against all liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in
satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel
fees,  reasonably incurred by such  person in connection with the defense or
disposition  of any action, suits or other proceeding, whether civil or
criminal, including but not limited to derivative suits (to the extent
permitted by law), in which such person may be  involved  or with which such
person may be  threatened,  while in office or thereafter, except with respect
to any  matters as to which such person  shall have been adjudicated to have
acted in bad faith or not to have acted in good faith  in the reasonable belief
that  such  person's  action  was in the best interests of the Company or, to
the extent that such matter  relates to service with respect to an employee
benefit  plan, in the best interests of the participants or beneficiaries of
such plan. The Company's  Charter  provides, however, that as to any matter
disposed  of by a  compromise  payment by such trustee or officer pursuant to
a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or
for any other expenses shall be provided  unless such compromise shall be
approved as in the best  interests  of the  Company,  after notice that it
involves  such  indemnification:  (a) if no change of control has occurred,
(i) by a disinterested majority of the trustees then in office or (ii) by  a
majority  of  the  disinterested trustees then in office or by the shareholders
of the Company,  provided  that the Company  shall have received a written
opinion of independent  legal counsel to the effect that such trustee or
officer  appears to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such
person's action was in the best interests of the Company; or (b) if a change of
control  shall have  occurred,  by an opinion  in writing of independent legal
counsel to the effect that such trustee or officer appears to have acted in
good faith  in the reasonable belief that such person's action was in the best
interests of the Company.  The rights accruing to any trustee or officer under
the foregoing provisions do not exclude any other right to which such trustee
or officer may be lawfully entitled; provided, however, that no trustee or
officer may satisfy any rights of indemnity or reimbursement granted pursuant
to the Company's  Charter or to which he may be  otherwise  entitled  except
out of the trust estate of the Company.

    The  Company's  Charter  further  provides  that   notwithstanding   any
provision of law or any other provision of the Company's Charter, a trustee
shall not be liable to the Company or any shareholder of the Company for
monetary damages for breach of such trustee's fiduciary duties as a trustee,
except  with  respect  to any matter as to which  such liability is imposed by
applicable law and such trustee shall have been adjudicated (a) to have
breached such trustee's duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders,
(b) to have acted (or omitted to act) not in good faith, (c) to have knowingly
violated the law, (d) to have intentionally engaged in misconduct, or (e) to
have derived any improper personal benefit from a transaction.  Trustees,
officers and agents of the  Company  will also not be held liable for any act
or failure to act in good faith, that is required, authorized or approved by
an order issued pursuant to the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or
any other  federal or state statute regulating the Company or any of its
subsidiaries by reason of its being a public utility holding company or their
being public utilities.  In the event that the foregoing provisions of the
preceding sentence are found by a court not to  constitute  a valid defense on
the grounds of not being  applicable  to the particular class of plaintiffs,
each such trustee, officer and agent (and his or her legal  representatives)
shall be reimbursed for, or indemnified against, all expenses and liabilities
incurred  by him or her or  imposed on him or her in connection with any such
action, suit or proceeding;  provided, however, that as to any matter disposed
of by a compromise payment by such trustee or officer, pursuant to a consent
decree or otherwise,  no  indemnification  either for said payment or for any

<PAGE>

other expenses shall be provided unless such compromise shall be approved as
in the best interest of the Company as provided in the Company's Charter.
Such expenses and liabilities shall include,  but shall not be limited to,
judgments, court costs, and attorneys' fees.

    The Company's  Charter  provides that in discharging  his or her duties,
when acting in good faith, any trustee or officer shall be fully  entitled to
rely  upon  information, opinion, reports or records,  including  financial
statements, books of account and other financial records, in each case
presented or  prepared  by, or under the supervision of, (a) one or more
officers or employees of the Company (or of another  organization in which
such party serves as contemplated by Article 19 of the Company's Charter,
including all directors, officers  and trustees of  wholly-owned subsidiaries
of the Company) whom the trustee or officer reasonably believes to be reliable
and  competent  in the matters presented, (b) counsel, public accountants or
other  persons as to matters  which the  trustee or officer  reasonably
believes  to be within such person's  professional or expert competence,  or
(c) in the case of a trustee, a duly constituted committee of trustees (or
similar governing body of such other organization) upon which such trustee does
not serve,  as to matters within its delegated authority, which committee the
trustee reasonably believes to merit confidence, but such trustee shall not be
considered to be acting in good faith if such trustee has knowledge concerning
the matter in question that would cause such reliance to be unwarranted.  The
fact that a trustee or officer so relied shall be a complete defense to any
claim asserted against such party, except as expressly provided by statute, by
reason of such party being or having been a trustee or officer of the Company
(or such other organization).

    The Company  maintains an insurance policy that insures its trustees and
officers against certain liabilities.

Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed.

        Not Applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

Exhibit 4(a).      Eastern Enterprises1996  Non-Employee Trustees Stock Option
                   Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.21  to  the  Eastern  Enterprises
                   Annual Report  on Form  10-K  for the  fiscal  year ended
                   December 31, 1995, Commission File No. 1-2297, incorporated
                   by reference herein).

Exhibit 4(b).      Amendment to Eastern Enterprises1996 Non-Employee Trustees
                   Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.21.1 to the Eastern
                   Enterprises Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
                   ended March 31, 1998, Commission File No. 1-2297,
                   incorporated by reference herein).

Exhibit 4(c).      Declaration of Trust of Eastern Enterprises, as amended
                   (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Eastern Enterprises Quarterly
                   Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended June 30, 1989,
                   Commission File No. 1-2297, incorporated by reference
                   herein).
<PAGE>

Exhibit 4(d).      By-laws  of Eastern  Enterprises, as amended (filed as
                   Exhibit 3.2 to the Eastern Enterprises  Annual Report on
                   Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1998,
                   Commission File No. 1-2297, incorporated by reference
                   herein).

Exhibit 4(e).      Specimen copy of common stock certificate for Eastern
                   Enterprises (filed as Exhibit A-1 to the Eastern Enterprises
                   Form U-1 dated March 31, 1998, Commission File No. 070-
                   09195, incorporated by reference herein).

Exhibit 4(f).      Common Stock Rights Agreement between Eastern Enterprises
                   and the Bank of New York dated as of February 22, 1990
                   (filed as Exhibit 1 to the Eastern Enterprises Current
                   Report  on Form 8-K  dated March 1, 1990, Commission File
                   No. 1-2297, incorporated by reference herein).

Exhibit 4(g).      Agreement between Eastern and the first National Bank of
                   Boston dated January 30, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 4.1.1. to
                   the Eastern  Enterprises  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for
                   the year ended December 31, 1994, Commission File No.1-2297,
                   incorporated by reference herein).

Exhibit 4(h)       Amendment No. 2 to Common Stock Rights Agreement, between
                   Eastern Enterprises and BankBoston, N.A., dated July 22,
                   1998 (filed as Exhibit  99.1 to the Eastern  Enterprises
                   Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 29,1998, Commission
                   File No. 1-2297, incorporated herein by reference).

Exhibit 4(i)       Rights Agreement between Eastern Enterprises and BankBoston,
                   N.A., dated as of July 22, 1998  (filed as Exhibit  99.2 to
                   the Eastern  Enterprises  Current  Report on Form 8-K, filed
                   July 29,1998, Commission File No. 1-2297, incorporated
                   herein by reference).

Exhibit 5.         Opinion of L. William Law, Jr., General Counsel of Eastern
                   Enterprises.

Exhibit 23(a).     Consent of L. William Law, Jr., General Counsel of Eastern
                   Enterprises (contained in Exhibit 5).

Exhibit 23(b).     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

Exhibit 24.        Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature pages
                   to this Registration Statement).
<PAGE>


Item 9.  Undertakings.

        (a)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

              (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                     (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section
                           10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                     (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
                           arising after the effective date of the registration
                           statement (or the most recent post-effective
                           amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
                           aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
                           information set forth in the registration statement;

                     (iii) To include any material information with respect to
                           the plan of distribution not previously disclosed
                           in the  registration statement or any material
                           change to such information in the registration
                           statement;

provided,  however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) will not apply if
the information required to be included in a post-effective  amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.

               (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.

               (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the  securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

        (b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's  annual report pursuant to Section  13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 (and,  where  applicable, each filing of any
employee  benefit  plan's  annual  report  pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934) that is incorporated by  reference in the
registration  statement  shall  be deemed to be a new registration  statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (c)  Insofar  as  indemnification for liabilities arising  under  the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant  pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the  registrant  has been advised  that in the  opinion of the Securities and
Exchange  Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
indemnification  against  such  liabilities (other than the payment by  the

<PAGE>

registrant of expenses  incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the  registrant  in the successful  defense  of any action, suit or
proceeding)  is  asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

    Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
registration statement  to be  signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Weston, Commonwealth of
Massachusetts,  on this 14th day of October, 1999.

                                                 EASTERN ENTERPRISES


                                                 By: /s/ Walter J. Flaherty
                                                 Name: Walter J. Flaherty
                                                 Title: Executive Vice
                                                        President and
                                                        Chief Financial Officer

    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Walter J. Flaherty and L. William Law, Jr. and
each of them, with full power to act without the other, his or her true and
lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution  and
revocation, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities to execute any and all amendments to this registration
statement, including  post-effective amendments and supplements to this
registration statement, or any registration statement under Rule 462(b), and to
file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person,  hereby
ratifying and  confirming  all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or any
substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

    Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
registration  statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

    Name                       Title                           Date


 /s/ J. Atwood Ives            Chairman of the Board,          October 14, 1999
--------------------------     Chief Executive Officer
J. Atwood Ives                 and Trustee
                               principal executive officer)

 /s/ Fred C. Raskin            President and Chief Operating   October 14, 1999
--------------------------     Officer
Fred C. Raskin


 /s/ Walter J. Flaherty        Executive Vice President        October 14, 1999
--------------------------     and Chief Financial Officer
Walter J. Flaherty             (principal financial officer)

 /s/ James J. Harper           Vice President and Controller   October 14, 1999
--------------------------     (principal accounting officer)
James J. Harper




<PAGE>



 /s/ James R. Barker           Trustee                         October 14, 1999
-----------------------
James R. Barker


 /s/ Richard R. Clayton        Trustee                         October 14, 1999
-----------------------
Richard R. Clayton


 /s/ John D. Curtin, Jr.       Trustee                         October 14, 1999
-----------------------
John D. Curtin, Jr.


 /s/ Samuel Frankenheim        Trustee                         October 14, 1999
-----------------------
Samuel Frankenheim


 /s/ Leonard R. Jaskol         Trustee                         October 14, 1999
-----------------------
Leonard R. Jaskol


 /s/ Wendell J. Knox           Trustee                         October 14, 1999
-----------------------
Wendell J. Knox


/s/ Frederic L. Putnam, Jr.    Trustee                         October 14, 1999
---------------------------
Frederic L. Putnam, Jr.


 /s/ Rina K. Spence            Trustee                         October 14, 1999
--------------------------
Rina K. Spence


 /s/ David B. Stone            Trustee                         October 14, 1999
--------------------------
David B. Stone







<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Number               Title of Exhibits

Exhibit 4(a).        Eastern Enterprises 1996 Non-Employee Trustee Stock Option
                     Plan (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(b).        Amendment to Eastern Enterprises 1996 Non-Employee Trustee
                     Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(c).        Declaration of Trust of Eastern Enterprises, as amended
                     (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(d).        By-laws of Eastern Enterprises, as amended (incorporated
                     by reference).

Exhibit 4(e).        Specimen copy of common stock certificate for Eastern
                     Enterprises (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(f).        Common Stock Rights Agreement between Eastern Enterprises
                     and the Bank of New York dated as of February 22, 1990
                     (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(g).        Agreement between Eastern and the First National Bank of
                     Boston dated January 30, 1995 (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(h)         Amendment No. 2 to Common Stock Rights Agreement, between
                     Eastern Enterprises and BankBoston, N.A., dated July
                     22, 1998 (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(i)         Rights Agreement between Eastern Enterprises and
                     BankBoston, N.A., dated as of July 22, 1998 (incorporated
                     by reference).

Exhibit 5.           Opinion of L. William Law, Jr., General Counsel of Eastern
                     Enterprises.

Exhibit 23(a).       Consent of L. William Law, Jr., General Counsel of Eastern
                     Enterprises (contained in Exhibit 5).

Exhibit 23(b).       Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

Exhibit 24.          Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature pages
                     to this Registration Statement).


<PAGE>


                                                                     Exhibit 5








October 14, 1999

Eastern Enterprises
9 Riverside Road
Weston, Massachusetts 02493

You have asked for my opinion concerning the legality of 75,000 shares of
Common Stock, with a par value of $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), of Eastern
Enterprises (the "Association") issuable upon the exercise of options granted
under the Eastern Enterprises 1996 Non-Employee Trustees' Stock Option Plan
(the "Plan") and 75,000 common stock purchase rights (the "Rights") attached
to the Shares pursuant to the provisions of a Common Stock Rights Agreement
between the Association and BankBoston, N.A., dated as of February 22, 1990,
as amended (the "Rights Agreement").

As Senior Vice President,  General Counsel and Secretary of the  Association, I
have acted as counsel for the Association in connection with the preparation of
the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration  Statement") with
respect to the Plan, which is being filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 contemporaneously herewith, and I
have examined:

         (a)      the Declaration of Trust of the Association dated July 18,
                  1929, as amended;

         (b)      the By-laws of the Association as from time to time in
                  effect;

         (c)      a copy of the Registration Statement;

         (d)      the minutes of meetings to date of the shareholders and Board
                  of Trustees of the Association;


<PAGE>







Eastern Enterprises
October 14, 1999
Page 2


         (e)      the Rights Agreement; and

         (f)      such other  documents  and records as I deem  necessary for
                  purposes of this opinion.

I have assumed that the Shares proposed to be issued upon the exercise  of
options under the Plan will be issued only upon payment therefor as provided in
the Plan and that the price for such shares will be not less than  $1.00 per
share. I have also assumed that the issuance of any Shares pursuant to the Plan
will not result in the issuance by the Association of more than its authorized
shares of the Association's common stock. In addition, I have assumed that the
Rights will be issued in accordance with the provisions of the Rights
Agreement.

Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:

1.   The  Association is duly organized and existing as an unincorporated
     voluntary association in conformity with the laws of The Commonwealth of
     Massachusetts.

2.   The  Shares, when issued and paid for as provided in the Plan,  will be
     validly issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable except as set
     forth below in this opinion.

3.   The Rights, when issued in accordance with the Rights Agreement, will be
     validly issued and will constitute binding obligations of the Association.

The  Association is a voluntary association of the type commonly known as a
"Massachusetts business trust."  Pursuant to certain decisions of the Supreme
Judicial Court of Massachusetts, shareholders of such a trust may, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the
obligations of the trust.  Even if the Association were held to be a
partnership,  however, the possibility of its shareholders incurring financial
loss appears remote because (a) the  Association's  Declaration of Trust
contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for the obligations of
the Association and requires that such notice be given in each agreement,
obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Association,

<PAGE>







Eastern Enterprises
October 14, 1999
Page 3


(b) management of the Association has advised that the Association is
adequately  insured  against tort  liability,  (c) most of the  Association's
operations are conducted by incorporated subsidiaries and (d) the Association's
Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the trust property for
any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Association.
I understand that this opinion is to be used in connection with the
Registration Statement.  I consent  to the filing of this opinion with and as
a part of the Registration Statement and to use of my name therein.


Very truly yours,


/s/ L. William Law, Jr.
    L.William Law, Jr.




<PAGE>


                                                              Exhibit 23(b)

                   Consent of Independent Public Accountants

As independent public accountants we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Form S-8 of our reports dated January 22, 1999 incorporated
by reference in Eastern Enterprises' Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1998, and to all references to our Firm included in this registration statement.


/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
Arthur Andersen LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
October 13, 1999
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Registration No. 333-_____

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM S-8

                          REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                               EASTERN ENTERPRISES
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

MASSACHUSETTS                                               04-1270730
(State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)
                  9 Riverside Road, Weston, Massachusetts 02493
                  ---------------------------------------------
                 (Address of Principal Offices with) ( zip code)

        EASTERN ENTERPRISES 1996 NON-EMPLOYEE TRUSTEES STOCK OPTION PLAN
        ----------------------------------------------------------------
                            (Full title of the Plan)

                               L. William Law, Jr.
                               Eastern Enterprises
                                9 Riverside Road
                           Weston, Massachusetts 02493
                         -------------------------------
                     (Name and address of agent for service)

                                 (781) 647-2300
                ----------------------------------------------
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Proposed      Proposed
Title of                         Maximum       Maximum
Securities     Amount            Offering      Aggregate     Amount of
To Be          To Be             Price Per     Offering      Registration
Registered     Registered        Share (1      Price (1)     Fee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Common Stock,  75,000            $48.28125     $3,621,094    $1,006.66

$1.00 par value, with
related common stock
purchase rights
-------------------------
(1) Pursuant to Rules 457(f)(1) and 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the"Securities   Act")  and  estimated  solely  for  the  purpose  of
calculating the registration fee on the basis of the Eastern Common Stock to be
received as established  by of the  average  high and low prices of the Common
Stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on October 8, 1999.
Part II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.

        This registration statement incorporates by reference the documents set
forth  below that were previously  filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission by Eastern Enterprises (the "Company")(File No. 1-2297) and are made
a part of this registration statement.

o Eastern's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  December 31,
1998.

o Eastern's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999.

o Eastern's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999.

o Eastern's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed July 19, 1999, August 18, 1999
  and September 15, 1999.

o The  description  of Eastern  Common Stock  contained in its Form 8, filed
  on May 23, 1991,  amending its Registration  Statement on Form 8-A dated
  November 6, 1950.

o The   description  of  the  Eastern  common  stock  purchase  rights
  contained in Eastern's  Registration  Statement on Form 8-A filed on
  March 1, 1990, as amended.

o The  description  of the Eastern 1998 common stock  purchase  rights
  contained in Eastern's  Registration  Statement on Form 8-A filed on
  July 29, 1998.

     All  reports  and  other  documents  subsequently  filed by the  Company
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of  1934,  as  amended  (  the  "Exchange  Act"),  prior  to  the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby
have been sold or which  deregisters all securities then remaining  unsold,
shall be deemed to be incorporated  by reference herein and to be a part hereof
from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

Item 4.  Description of Securities.

           Not Required.

Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

           Not Applicable.

Item 6.  Indemnification of Trustees and Officers.

        The  Declaration  of Trust of the Company (the "Company's Charter")
provides that the trustees, officers and agents of the Company  generally shall
not be liable except for acts or failures to act which at the time would impose
liability on such party if the Company were a Massachusetts business
corporation and such person was a director, officer or agent thereof. The
Company's Charter provides that it shall indemnify each of its trustees and
officers  against all liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in
satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel
fees,  reasonably incurred by such  person in connection with the defense or
disposition  of any action, suits or other proceeding, whether civil or
criminal, including but not limited to derivative suits (to the extent
permitted by law), in which such person may be  involved  or with which such
person may be  threatened,  while in office or thereafter, except with respect
to any  matters as to which such person  shall have been adjudicated to have
acted in bad faith or not to have acted in good faith  in the reasonable belief
that  such  person's  action  was in the best interests of the Company or, to
the extent that such matter  relates to service with respect to an employee
benefit  plan, in the best interests of the participants or beneficiaries of
such plan. The Company's  Charter  provides, however, that as to any matter
disposed  of by a  compromise  payment by such trustee or officer pursuant to
a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or
for any other expenses shall be provided  unless such compromise shall be
approved as in the best  interests  of the  Company,  after notice that it
involves  such  indemnification:  (a) if no change of control has occurred,
(i) by a disinterested majority of the trustees then in office or (ii) by  a
majority  of  the  disinterested trustees then in office or by the shareholders
of the Company,  provided  that the Company  shall have received a written
opinion of independent  legal counsel to the effect that such trustee or
officer  appears to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such
person's action was in the best interests of the Company; or (b) if a change of
control  shall have  occurred,  by an opinion  in writing of independent legal
counsel to the effect that such trustee or officer appears to have acted in
good faith  in the reasonable belief that such person's action was in the best
interests of the Company.  The rights accruing to any trustee or officer under
the foregoing provisions do not exclude any other right to which such trustee
or officer may be lawfully entitled; provided, however, that no trustee or
officer may satisfy any rights of indemnity or reimbursement granted pursuant
to the Company's  Charter or to which he may be  otherwise  entitled  except
out of the trust estate of the Company.

    The  Company's  Charter  further  provides  that   notwithstanding   any
provision of law or any other provision of the Company's Charter, a trustee
shall not be liable to the Company or any shareholder of the Company for
monetary damages for breach of such trustee's fiduciary duties as a trustee,
except  with  respect  to any matter as to which  such liability is imposed by
applicable law and such trustee shall have been adjudicated (a) to have
breached such trustee's duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders,
(b) to have acted (or omitted to act) not in good faith, (c) to have knowingly
violated the law, (d) to have intentionally engaged in misconduct, or (e) to
have derived any improper personal benefit from a transaction.  Trustees,
officers and agents of the  Company  will also not be held liable for any act
or failure to act in good faith, that is required, authorized or approved by
an order issued pursuant to the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or
any other  federal or state statute regulating the Company or any of its
subsidiaries by reason of its being a public utility holding company or their
being public utilities.  In the event that the foregoing provisions of the
preceding sentence are found by a court not to  constitute  a valid defense on
the grounds of not being  applicable  to the particular class of plaintiffs,
each such trustee, officer and agent (and his or her legal  representatives)
shall be reimbursed for, or indemnified against, all expenses and liabilities
incurred  by him or her or  imposed on him or her in connection with any such
action, suit or proceeding;  provided, however, that as to any matter disposed
of by a compromise payment by such trustee or officer, pursuant to a consent
decree or otherwise,  no  indemnification  either for said payment or for any
other expenses shall be provided unless such compromise shall be approved as
in the best interest of the Company as provided in the Company's Charter.
Such expenses and liabilities shall include,  but shall not be limited to,
judgments, court costs, and attorneys' fees.

    The Company's  Charter  provides that in discharging  his or her duties,
when acting in good faith, any trustee or officer shall be fully  entitled to
rely  upon  information, opinion, reports or records,  including  financial
statements, books of account and other financial records, in each case
presented or  prepared  by, or under the supervision of, (a) one or more
officers or employees of the Company (or of another  organization in which
such party serves as contemplated by Article 19 of the Company's Charter,
including all directors, officers  and trustees of  wholly-owned subsidiaries
of the Company) whom the trustee or officer reasonably believes to be reliable
and  competent  in the matters presented, (b) counsel, public accountants or
other  persons as to matters  which the  trustee or officer  reasonably
believes  to be within such person's  professional or expert competence,  or
(c) in the case of a trustee, a duly constituted committee of trustees (or
similar governing body of such other organization) upon which such trustee does
not serve,  as to matters within its delegated authority, which committee the
trustee reasonably believes to merit confidence, but such trustee shall not be
considered to be acting in good faith if such trustee has knowledge concerning
the matter in question that would cause such reliance to be unwarranted.  The
fact that a trustee or officer so relied shall be a complete defense to any
claim asserted against such party, except as expressly provided by statute, by
reason of such party being or having been a trustee or officer of the Company
(or such other organization).

    The Company  maintains an insurance policy that insures its trustees and
officers against certain liabilities.

Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed.

        Not Applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

Exhibit 4(a).      Eastern Enterprises1996  Non-Employee Trustees Stock Option
                   Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.21  to  the  Eastern  Enterprises
                   Annual Report  on Form  10-K  for the  fiscal  year ended
                   December 31, 1995, Commission File No. 1-2297, incorporated
                   by reference herein).

Exhibit 4(b).      Amendment to Eastern Enterprises1996 Non-Employee Trustees
                   Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.21.1 to the Eastern
                   Enterprises Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
                   ended March 31, 1998, Commission File No. 1-2297,
                   incorporated by reference herein).

Exhibit 4(c).      Declaration of Trust of Eastern Enterprises, as amended
                   (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Eastern Enterprises Quarterly
                   Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended June 30, 1989,
                   Commission File No. 1-2297, incorporated by reference
                   herein).
Exhibit 4(d).      By-laws  of Eastern  Enterprises, as amended (filed as
                   Exhibit 3.2 to the Eastern Enterprises  Annual Report on
                   Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1998,
                   Commission File No. 1-2297, incorporated by reference
                   herein).

Exhibit 4(e).      Specimen copy of common stock certificate for Eastern
                   Enterprises (filed as Exhibit A-1 to the Eastern Enterprises
                   Form U-1 dated March 31, 1998, Commission File No. 070-
                   09195, incorporated by reference herein).

Exhibit 4(f).      Common Stock Rights Agreement between Eastern Enterprises
                   and the Bank of New York dated as of February 22, 1990
                   (filed as Exhibit 1 to the Eastern Enterprises Current
                   Report  on Form 8-K  dated March 1, 1990, Commission File
                   No. 1-2297, incorporated by reference herein).

Exhibit 4(g).      Agreement between Eastern and the first National Bank of
                   Boston dated January 30, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 4.1.1. to
                   the Eastern  Enterprises  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for
                   the year ended December 31, 1994, Commission File No.1-2297,
                   incorporated by reference herein).

Exhibit 4(h)       Amendment No. 2 to Common Stock Rights Agreement, between
                   Eastern Enterprises and BankBoston, N.A., dated July 22,
                   1998 (filed as Exhibit  99.1 to the Eastern  Enterprises
                   Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 29,1998, Commission
                   File No. 1-2297, incorporated herein by reference).

Exhibit 4(i)       Rights Agreement between Eastern Enterprises and BankBoston,
                   N.A., dated as of July 22, 1998  (filed as Exhibit  99.2 to
                   the Eastern  Enterprises  Current  Report on Form 8-K, filed
                   July 29,1998, Commission File No. 1-2297, incorporated
                   herein by reference).

Exhibit 5.         Opinion of L. William Law, Jr., General Counsel of Eastern
                   Enterprises.

Exhibit 23(a).     Consent of L. William Law, Jr., General Counsel of Eastern
                   Enterprises (contained in Exhibit 5).

Exhibit 23(b).     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

Exhibit 24.        Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature pages
                   to this Registration Statement).
Item 9.  Undertakings.

        (a)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

              (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                     (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section
                           10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                     (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
                           arising after the effective date of the registration
                           statement (or the most recent post-effective
                           amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
                           aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
                           information set forth in the registration statement;

                     (iii) To include any material information with respect to
                           the plan of distribution not previously disclosed
                           in the  registration statement or any material
                           change to such information in the registration
                           statement;

provided,  however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) will not apply if
the information required to be included in a post-effective  amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.

               (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.

               (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the  securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

        (b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's  annual report pursuant to Section  13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 (and,  where  applicable, each filing of any
employee  benefit  plan's  annual  report  pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934) that is incorporated by  reference in the
registration  statement  shall  be deemed to be a new registration  statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (c)  Insofar  as  indemnification for liabilities arising  under  the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant  pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the  registrant  has been advised  that in the  opinion of the Securities and
Exchange  Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
indemnification  against  such  liabilities (other than the payment by  the
registrant of expenses  incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the  registrant  in the successful  defense  of any action, suit or
proceeding)  is  asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES

    Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
registration statement  to be  signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Weston, Commonwealth of
Massachusetts,  on this 14th day of October, 1999.

                                                 EASTERN ENTERPRISES

                                                 By: /s/ Walter J. Flaherty
                                                 Name: Walter J. Flaherty
                                                 Title: Executive Vice
                                                        President and
                                                        Chief Financial Officer

    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Walter J. Flaherty and L. William Law, Jr. and
each of them, with full power to act without the other, his or her true and
lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution  and
revocation, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities to execute any and all amendments to this registration
statement, including  post-effective amendments and supplements to this
registration statement, or any registration statement under Rule 462(b), and to
file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person,  hereby
ratifying and  confirming  all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or any
substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

    Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
registration  statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

    Name                       Title                           Date

 /s/ J. Atwood Ives            Chairman of the Board,          October 14, 1999
--------------------------     Chief Executive Officer
J. Atwood Ives                 and Trustee
                               principal executive officer)

 /s/ Fred C. Raskin            President and Chief Operating   October 14, 1999
--------------------------     Officer
Fred C. Raskin

 /s/ Walter J. Flaherty        Executive Vice President        October 14, 1999
--------------------------     and Chief Financial Officer
Walter J. Flaherty             (principal financial officer)

 /s/ James J. Harper           Vice President and Controller   October 14, 1999
--------------------------     (principal accounting officer)
James J. Harper
/s/ James R. Barker           Trustee                         October 14, 1999
-----------------------
James R. Barker

 /s/ Richard R. Clayton        Trustee                         October 14, 1999
-----------------------
Richard R. Clayton

 /s/ John D. Curtin, Jr.       Trustee                         October 14, 1999
-----------------------
John D. Curtin, Jr.

 /s/ Samuel Frankenheim        Trustee                         October 14, 1999
-----------------------
Samuel Frankenheim

 /s/ Leonard R. Jaskol         Trustee                         October 14, 1999
-----------------------
Leonard R. Jaskol

 /s/ Wendell J. Knox           Trustee                         October 14, 1999
-----------------------
Wendell J. Knox

/s/ Frederic L. Putnam, Jr.    Trustee                         October 14, 1999
---------------------------
Frederic L. Putnam, Jr.

 /s/ Rina K. Spence            Trustee                         October 14, 1999
--------------------------
Rina K. Spence

 /s/ David B. Stone            Trustee                         October 14, 1999
--------------------------
David B. Stone
EXHIBIT INDEX

Number               Title of Exhibits

Exhibit 4(a).        Eastern Enterprises 1996 Non-Employee Trustee Stock Option
                     Plan (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(b).        Amendment to Eastern Enterprises 1996 Non-Employee Trustee
                     Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(c).        Declaration of Trust of Eastern Enterprises, as amended
                     (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(d).        By-laws of Eastern Enterprises, as amended (incorporated
                     by reference).

Exhibit 4(e).        Specimen copy of common stock certificate for Eastern
                     Enterprises (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(f).        Common Stock Rights Agreement between Eastern Enterprises
                     and the Bank of New York dated as of February 22, 1990
                     (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(g).        Agreement between Eastern and the First National Bank of
                     Boston dated January 30, 1995 (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(h)         Amendment No. 2 to Common Stock Rights Agreement, between
                     Eastern Enterprises and BankBoston, N.A., dated July
                     22, 1998 (incorporated by reference).

Exhibit 4(i)         Rights Agreement between Eastern Enterprises and
                     BankBoston, N.A., dated as of July 22, 1998 (incorporated
                     by reference).

Exhibit 5.           Opinion of L. William Law, Jr., General Counsel of Eastern
                     Enterprises.

Exhibit 23(a).       Consent of L. William Law, Jr., General Counsel of Eastern
                     Enterprises (contained in Exhibit 5).

Exhibit 23(b).       Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

Exhibit 24.          Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature pages
                     to this Registration Statement).
Exhibit 5

October 14, 1999

Eastern Enterprises
9 Riverside Road
Weston, Massachusetts 02493

You have asked for my opinion concerning the legality of 75,000 shares of
Common Stock, with a par value of $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), of Eastern
Enterprises (the "Association") issuable upon the exercise of options granted
under the Eastern Enterprises 1996 Non-Employee Trustees' Stock Option Plan
(the "Plan") and 75,000 common stock purchase rights (the "Rights") attached
to the Shares pursuant to the provisions of a Common Stock Rights Agreement
between the Association and BankBoston, N.A., dated as of February 22, 1990,
as amended (the "Rights Agreement").

As Senior Vice President,  General Counsel and Secretary of the  Association, I
have acted as counsel for the Association in connection with the preparation of
the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration  Statement") with
respect to the Plan, which is being filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 contemporaneously herewith, and I
have examined:

         (a)      the Declaration of Trust of the Association dated July 18,
                  1929, as amended;

         (b)      the By-laws of the Association as from time to time in
                  effect;

         (c)      a copy of the Registration Statement;

         (d)      the minutes of meetings to date of the shareholders and Board
                  of Trustees of the Association;
Eastern Enterprises
October 14, 1999
Page 2

         (e)      the Rights Agreement; and

         (f)      such other  documents  and records as I deem  necessary for
                  purposes of this opinion.

I have assumed that the Shares proposed to be issued upon the exercise  of
options under the Plan will be issued only upon payment therefor as provided in
the Plan and that the price for such shares will be not less than  $1.00 per
share. I have also assumed that the issuance of any Shares pursuant to the Plan
will not result in the issuance by the Association of more than its authorized
shares of the Association's common stock. In addition, I have assumed that the
Rights will be issued in accordance with the provisions of the Rights
Agreement.

Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:

1.   The  Association is duly organized and existing as an unincorporated
     voluntary association in conformity with the laws of The Commonwealth of
     Massachusetts.

2.   The  Shares, when issued and paid for as provided in the Plan,  will be
     validly issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable except as set
     forth below in this opinion.

3.   The Rights, when issued in accordance with the Rights Agreement, will be
     validly issued and will constitute binding obligations of the Association.

The  Association is a voluntary association of the type commonly known as a
"Massachusetts business trust."  Pursuant to certain decisions of the Supreme
Judicial Court of Massachusetts, shareholders of such a trust may, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the
obligations of the trust.  Even if the Association were held to be a
partnership,  however, the possibility of its shareholders incurring financial
loss appears remote because (a) the  Association's  Declaration of Trust
contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for the obligations of
the Association and requires that such notice be given in each agreement,
obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Association,
Eastern Enterprises
October 14, 1999
Page 3

(b) management of the Association has advised that the Association is
adequately  insured  against tort  liability,  (c) most of the  Association's
operations are conducted by incorporated subsidiaries and (d) the Association's
Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the trust property for
any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Association.
I understand that this opinion is to be used in connection with the
Registration Statement.  I consent  to the filing of this opinion with and as
a part of the Registration Statement and to use of my name therein.

Very truly yours,

/s/ L. William Law, Jr.
    L.William Law, Jr.
Exhibit 23(b)

                   Consent of Independent Public Accountants

As independent public accountants we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Form S-8 of our reports dated January 22, 1999 incorporated
by reference in Eastern Enterprises' Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1998, and to all references to our Firm included in this registration statement.

/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
Arthur Andersen LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
October 13, 1999