TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO
POS AMI, 1996-04-25
Previous: INVESTORS PORTFOLIO, POS AMI, 1996-04-25
Next: DEAN WITTER GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND, 485BPOS, 1996-04-25



<PAGE>


        
          As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25, 1996
         
                                                               File No. 811-8014

                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                      FORM N-1A


                                REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                        UNDER
                          THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940                 [X]
        
                                   AMENDMENT NO. 3                           [X]
         

                                TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO
                               -----------------------
                  (Exact Name Of Registrant As Specified In Charter)


                                  24 Federal Street
                             Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                             ----------------------------
                       (Address Of Principal Executive Offices)


          Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (617) 482-8260
          ------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 H. Day Brigham, Jr.
                    24 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                   -----------------------------------------------
                       (Name and Address of Agent for Service)
<PAGE>






                                  EXPLANATORY NOTE
        
              This Registration  Statement, as  amended, has  been filed  by the
     Registrant pursuant to Section 8(b) of the  Investment Company Act of 1940,
     as amended. However, interests in  the Registrant have not  been registered
     under the  Securities Act  of 1933,  as amended  (the "1933  Act"), because
     such  interests will  be issued  solely in  private  placement transactions
     that do  not involve any  "public offering" within  the meaning  of Section
     4(2) of the 1933  Act. Investments in  the Registrant may  be made only  by
     U.S. and foreign investment  companies, common  or commingled trust  funds,
     organizations  or trusts  described  in Sections  401(a)  or 501(a)  of the
     Internal Revenue  Code of  1986, as  amended, or  similar organizations  or
     entities that are "accredited  investors" within the meaning of  Regulation
     D under the  1933 Act. This  Registration Statement, as  amended, does  not
     constitute  an offer to sell,  or the solicitation of  an offer to buy, any
     interests in the Registrant.
         
<PAGE>






                                       PART A 

              Responses  to Items 1 through 3  and 5A have been omitted pursuant
     to Paragraph 4 of Instruction F of the General Instructions to Form N-1A.

     ITEM 4.  GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT
              Total  Return  Portfolio  (the  "Portfolio")   is  a  diversified,
     open-end  management investment  company  which was  organized  as a  trust
     under the laws of the  State of New York on  May 1, 1992. Interests  in the
     Portfolio are issued solely in  private placement transactions that  do not
     involve any "public  offering" within  the meaning of  Section 4(2) of  the
     Securities Act  of 1933, as  amended (the  "1933 Act"). Investments  in the
     Portfolio may  be  made only  by  U.S.  and foreign  investment  companies,
     common  or commingled  trust  funds, organizations  or trusts  described in
     Sections 401(a) or 501(a)  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
     (the "Code"),  or similar  organizations or entities  that are  "accredited
     investors" within  the meaning  of Regulation  D under  the 1933  Act. This
     Registration Statement, as amended, does  not constitute an offer  to sell,
     or the solicitation  of an offer to buy,  any "security" within the meaning
     of the 1933 Act.
      
              The Portfolio's investment objective is  to seek for its investors
     a high level of total  return, consisting of relatively  predictable income
     in  conjunction   with  capital   appreciation,  consistent  with   prudent
     management  and  preservation   of  capital.  The   Portfolio's  investment
     objective is  nonfundamental and may be  changed when authorized by  a vote
     of the  Trustees of  the Portfolio  without obtaining  the approval of  the
     investors in the Portfolio.
        
              Additional  information  about  the  investment  policies  of  the
     Portfolio  appears in  Part  B.  The Portfolio  is  not  intended to  be  a
     complete investment program,  and a  prospective investor should  take into
     account its  objectives and other investments when considering the purchase
     of an  interest in the  Portfolio. The Portfolio  cannot assure achievement
     of its investment objective.
         
        
     Investment Policies and Risks
               The  Portfolio  seeks  to  achieve  its investment  objective  by
     investing principally in  dividend-paying common stocks with  the potential
     to increase  dividends  in the  future.    The Portfolio  concentrates  its
     investments  in  common  stocks of  public  utilities  ("utility  stocks"),
     principally  electric,  gas  and  telephone   companies.  Accordingly,  the
     Portfolio invests at  least 25% of its  total assets, and may  invest up to
     100%  of its  total  assets, in  utility stocks.    The Portfolio  may also
     invest in preferred stocks and may hold non-income-producing securities. 
         
        
              The  Portfolio may from  time to time invest  in fixed-income debt
     securities when the  Portfolio's investment adviser, Boston  Management and
     Research ("BMR"  or the "Investment  Adviser"), believes  that their  total
     return  potential is  consistent  with  the  Portfolio's  objective.    The

                                         A-1
<PAGE>






     Portfolio  may  invest its  cash  reserves  in  high  quality money  market
     securities, which  include  securities  of  the  U.S.  Government  and  its
     agencies  or instrumentalities  maturing in  one year  or less,  commercial
     paper,  and bankers'  acceptances and  certificates of  deposit of domestic
     banks  or savings and  loan associations having total  assets of $1 billion
     or more.   The  Portfolio may  also invest  in longer-term  debt securities
     that  at the time of  purchase are rated Aaa, Aa  or A by Moody's Investors
     Service, Inc. ("Moody's"),  or AAA, AA or  A by Standard &  Poor's ("S&P"),
     Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch"),  or Duff & Phelps,  Inc. ("Duff"),
     or that at  the time of purchase are  issued, guaranteed, backed or secured
     by the U.S.  Government or any of  its agencies or instrumentalities.   The
     Portfolio currently intends  to limit its investments in  fixed-income debt
     securities to 20%  or less of its net assets.   Subject to such limitation,
     the  Portfolio may invest up to 10% of  its net assets in fixed-income debt
     securities that at the  time of purchase are rated investment  grade (i.e.,
     rated Baa or higher by Moody's, or BBB or higher by  S&P, Fitch or Duff) or
     below  investment grade.    Debt  securities rated  below  Baa  or BBB  are
     commonly known as "junk bonds".
         
        
              In   view  of   the  Portfolio's   policy  of   concentrating  its
     investments in utility  stocks, an investment in interests of the Portfolio
     should be made with  an understanding of the characteristics  of the public
     utility   industry  and  the  potential   risks  of   such  an  investment.
     Industry-wide  problems  include   the  effects  of   fluctuating  economic
     conditions, energy conservation practices,  environmental regulations, high
     capital  expenditures, construction  delays due  to  pollution control  and
     environmental considerations,  uncertainties  as to  fuel availability  and
     costs, increased  competition in deregulated sectors  of the  industry, and
     difficulties in obtaining  timely and adequate rate relief  from regulatory
     commissions. If applications for rate increases are  not granted or are not
     acted upon promptly, the market prices of and  dividend payments on utility
     stocks may be adversely  affected. The Portfolio's policy  of concentrating
     in utility stocks is  a fundamental  policy and may  not be changed  unless
     authorized by an  investor vote. Other investors in the Portfolio may alone
     or collectively  acquire sufficient  voting interests  in the  Portfolio to
     change this fundamental policy. 
         
        
              The  Portfolio  may  invest  up  to  20%  of  its  net  assets  in
     securities  issued by foreign issuers.  Such  investments may be subject to
     various risks such  as fluctuations in currency and exchange rates, foreign
     taxes, social, political  and economic conditions in the countries in which
     such companies operate,  and changes in governmental, economic  or monetary
     policies both  here  and abroad.    There may  be less  publicly  available
     information  about a  foreign  company  than  about a  comparable  domestic
     company.  Because the securities  markets in many foreign countries are not
     as developed as those  in the United States, the securities of many foreign
     companies  are  less  liquid  and  their  prices  are  more  volatile  than
     securities of comparable  domestic companies.   In order  to hedge  against
     possible variations  in foreign exchange  rates pending  the settlement  of
     foreign  securities transactions,  the Portfolio  may buy  or  sell foreign

                                         A-2
<PAGE>






     currencies,  foreign currency  futures  and  options, and  forward  foreign
     currency exchange contracts.   The Portfolio  may also  invest in  American
     Depository  Receipts  ("ADRs") and  Global  Depository  Receipts  ("GDRs").
     U.S. dollar-denominated  ADRs and GDRs  traded on a  U.S. exchange are  not
     subject to the foregoing 20% limit.
         
              The  Portfolio may invest  a significant portion of  its assets in
     the  securities  of real  estate  investment  trusts ("REITs"),  which  are
     affected by conditions in the  real estate industry, interest  rate changes
     and,  in  the case  of REITs  investing in  health care  facilities, events
     affecting the health care industry.

              The  Portfolio  may also  enter  into  repurchase  agreements with
     respect  to  securities   of  the  U.S.  Government  and  its  agencies  or
     instrumentalities with  the  seller of  such  securities, usually  a  bank.
     Under  a  repurchase  agreement,   the  seller  agrees  to  repurchase  the
     securities at  the Portfolio's cost  plus interest within  a specified time
     (normally one  day). Repurchase agreements involve a risk that the value of
     the securities  subject  to the  repurchase  agreement  may decline  to  an
     amount  less than  the  repurchase price  and  that, in  the  event of  the
     seller's  bankruptcy or  insolvency, the  Portfolio may  be prevented  from
     disposing  of  such  securities.    The  Portfolio  will  comply  with  the
     collateralization policies of  the Securities and Exchange  Commission (the
     "Commission"), which policies require  that the Portfolio or  its custodian
     obtain actual or  constructive possession of  the collateral  and that  the
     market value of the  securities held as collateral be marked to  the market
     daily  and at  least  equal the  repurchase price  during  the term  of the
     agreement. The  Portfolio intends  that the  total of  its investments,  if
     any,  in repurchase  agreements  maturing in  more  than 7  days and  other
     illiquid securities will not exceed 15% of its net assets.
        
     Derivative  Instruments.   The  Portfolio may  purchase or  sell derivative
     instruments (which  are instruments that  derive their  value from  another
     instrument, security,  index  or  currency) to  enhance  return,  to  hedge
     against  fluctuations in  securities  prices,  interest rates  or  currency
     exchange rates, or as a substitute for  the purchase or sale of  securities
     or  currencies.  The Portfolio's transactions in derivative instruments may
     include  the purchase or  sale of futures contracts  on securities (such as
     U.S.  Government  securities),  securities  indices,  other  indices, other
     financial  instruments  or   currencies;  options  on  futures   contracts;
     exchange-traded options on  securities, indices or currencies;  and forward
     foreign  currency exchange  contracts.    The Portfolio's  transactions  in
     derivative  instruments involve  a  risk of  loss  or depreciation  due to:
     unanticipated adverse  changes in  securities prices,  interest rates,  the
     other  financial  instruments'  prices  or  currency  exchange  rates;  the
     inability to close out a  position; default by the  counterparty; imperfect
     correlation between  a position and  the desired hedge;  tax constraints on
     closing out positions;  and portfolio management constraints  on securities
     subject to  such transactions.   The loss on  derivative instruments (other
     than purchased  options) may substantially  exceed the Portfolio's  initial
     investment in these instruments.   In addition, the Portfolio may  lose the
     entire premium paid  for purchased options that  expire before they  can be

                                         A-3
<PAGE>






     profitably exercised by the  Portfolio.   The Portfolio incurs  transaction
     costs in  opening and closing  positions in derivative  instruments.  There
     can  be  no assurance  that  the  Investment  Adviser's  use of  derivative
     instruments will be advantageous to the Portfolio.
         
              The Portfolio  may write (sell)  covered call and  put options  on
     securities, currencies and indices  with respect  to up to  50% of its  net
     assets, as measured  by the aggregate  value of  the securities  underlying
     such written call and  put options.   If a written  covered call option  is
     exercised,  the  Portfolio   will  be  unable  to   realize  further  price
     appreciation  on the  underlying  securities  and portfolio  turnover  will
     increase, resulting in  higher brokerage costs.  The Portfolio may purchase
     call and put  options on any securities  in which the Portfolio  may invest
     or options  on any  securities index composed  of securities  in which  the
     Portfolio may invest.   The Portfolio does not intend to purchase an option
     on  any  security if,  after  such transaction,  more  than 5%  of  its net
     assets, as  measured by  the aggregate of  all premiums  paid for all  such
     options held by the Portfolio, would be so invested.
        
              To the  extent that  the Portfolio enters into  futures contracts,
     options on  futures contracts and  options on foreign  currencies traded on
     an  exchange  regulated   by  the  Commodity  Futures   Trading  Commission
     ("CFTC"), in  each case  that are not  for bona  fide hedging purposes  (as
     defined by  the CFTC), the  aggregate initial margin  and premiums required
     to establish these  positions (excluding the  amount by  which options  are
     "in-the-money")  may  not  exceed  5%  of  the  liquidation  value  of  the
     Portfolio's portfolio,  after taking  into account  unrealized profits  and
     unrealized losses on any contracts the Portfolio has entered into.
         
              Forward  contracts  are  individually  negotiated   and  privately
     traded  by  currency traders  and  their  customers.    A forward  contract
     involves an obligation to purchase  or sell a specific currency (or  basket
     of  currencies) for  an agreed  price at  a future  date, which may  be any
     fixed number of  days from the  date of  the contract.   The Portfolio  may
     engage in  cross-hedging by  using forward  contracts in  one currency  (or
     basket  of  currencies) to  hedge  against  fluctuations  in  the value  of
     securities denominated in a  different currency  if the Investment  Adviser
     determines that there is an  established historical pattern of  correlation
     between the two currencies (or the basket of currencies and the  underlying
     currency).  Use of a  different foreign currency magnifies  the Portfolio's
     exposure to foreign  currency exchange  rate fluctuations.   The  Portfolio
     may also  use forward contracts to  shift its exposure to  foreign currency
     exchange rate changes from one currency to another.
        
     Leverage Through  Borrowing. The Portfolio  may from time  to time increase
     its  ownership of portfolio securities above the amounts otherwise possible
     by borrowing from  banks on an unsecured  basis at fixed or  variable rates
     of  interest  and investing  the  borrowed  funds. The  Investment  Adviser
     currently  anticipates  that the  Portfolio will  incur borrowings  for the
     purpose  of acquiring  additional income-producing  securities  when it  is
     believed that  the interest payable with respect to such borrowings will be
     exceeded by  (a) the income  payable on the  securities acquired  with such

                                         A-4
<PAGE>






     borrowings or (b)  the anticipated total  return (a  combination of  income
     and appreciation)  on such securities.  Such borrowings might  be made, for
     example, when  short-term interest  rates fall  below the yields  available
     from the  securities acquired with the  borrowed funds or the  total return
     anticipated  from  such  securities.    In  addition,  the  Portfolio   may
     temporarily borrow  up to 5%  of the value  of its total  assets to satisfy
     redemption requests or settle securities transactions.
         
              The Portfolio is  required to maintain asset coverage of  at least
     300% with respect  to such borrowings, which  means that the Portfolio  may
     borrow an amount  up to 50% of  the value of its net  assets (not including
     such borrowings).  The Portfolio may  be required to  dispose of securities
     held  by it on  unfavorable terms if  market fluctuations  or other factors
     reduce such asset coverage to less than 300%.

              Leveraging will  exaggerate any increase or decrease in the market
     value  of  the  securities  held  by  the  Portfolio.  Money  borrowed  for
     leveraging will be  subject to interest costs  which may or may  not exceed
     the  income  from the  securities  purchased.  The  Portfolio  may also  be
     required  to maintain  minimum  average balances  in  connection with  such
     borrowing  or to  pay  a commitment  or  other fee  to maintain  a  line of
     credit; either  of these requirements  will increase the  cost of borrowing
     over  the stated interest rate. Unless the income and appreciation, if any,
     on assets acquired with borrowed funds  exceeds the cost of borrowing,  the
     use of leverage will diminish  the investment performance of  the Portfolio
     compared with what it would have been without leverage.

              The  Portfolio  will  not   always  borrow  money  for  additional
     investments. The  Portfolio's willingness  to borrow  money for  investment
     purposes, and the amount it will borrow,  will depend on many factors,  the
     most important of which are  the investment outlook, market  conditions and
     interest rates.  Successful use  of a  leveraging strategy  depends on  the
     Investment  Adviser's  ability  to predict  correctly  interest  rates  and
     market movements, and there  is no assurance that a  leverage strategy will
     be successful during any period in which it is employed.  
        
         
     Investment  Restrictions. The  Portfolio  has adopted  certain  fundamental
     investment restrictions which are enumerated in detail in Part B and  which
     may not be  changed unless authorized by an  investor vote. Except for such
     enumerated restrictions  and as  otherwise indicated  in this  Part A,  the
     investment  objective and  policies of  the  Portfolio are  not fundamental
     policies and accordingly may be  changed by the Trustees  without obtaining
     the approval of the investors  in the Portfolio. The  Portfolio's investors
     will  receive written  notice  thirty  days  prior  to any  change  in  the
     investment objective  of  the Portfolio.  If  any  changes were  made,  the
     Portfolio might have an investment  objective different from the  objective
     which  an  investor considered  appropriate  at  the  time  of its  initial
     investment.

              An  investment  in  the  Portfolio  entails  the  risk  that   the
     principal value  of Portfolio interests  and the income  earned thereon may

                                         A-5
<PAGE>






     not  increase  or may  decline.    The  Portfolio's  investments in  equity
     securities  are  subject  to the  risk  of  adverse  developments affecting
     particular companies or  industries and the  stock market  generally.   The
     lowest  investment   grade,  lower  rated   and  comparable  unrated   debt
     securities  in  which  the  Portfolio  may  invest  will  have  speculative
     characteristics in  varying degrees.   While such securities  may have some
     quality  and  protective  characteristics,  these  characteristics  can  be
     expected to  be  offset  or  outweighed  by  uncertainties  or  major  risk
     exposures  to  adverse  conditions.   Lower  rated  and  comparable unrated
     securities  are  subject to  the  risk  of an  issuer's  inability to  meet
     principal and interest  payments on the  securities (credit  risk) and  may
     also be subject  to price volatility due  to such factors as  interest rate
     sensitivity,  market perception  of the creditworthiness  of the issuer and
     general  market  liquidity  (market  risk).    Lower rated  and  comparable
     unrated  securities are  also more  likely to  react to  real or  perceived
     developments affecting markets and credit  risk than are more  highly rated
     securities, which  react primarily  to movements  in the  general level  of
     interest  rates.   The  Portfolio may  retain  defaulted securities  in its
     portfolio  when such retention  is considered  desirable by  the Investment
     Adviser.   In the  case of a  defaulted security,  the Portfolio may  incur
     additional expenses seeking recovery of  its investment.  In the event  the
     rating of  a security held by the  Portfolio is down-graded, the Investment
     Adviser will consider disposing  of such security, but is  not obligated to
     do so.

     ITEM 5.  MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO
              The  Portfolio is organized as a trust under the laws of the State
     of New York.  The Portfolio intends  to comply with all  applicable federal
     and state securities laws.

              Investment  Adviser.   The Portfolio  engages BMR,  a wholly-owned
     subsidiary of Eaton  Vance Management  ("Eaton Vance"),  as its  investment
     adviser. Eaton  Vance, its affiliates  and its  predecessor companies  have
     been  managing assets  of  individuals  and  institutions  since  1924  and
     managing investment companies since 1931.
        
              Acting under the  general supervision of the Board of  Trustees of
     the Portfolio,  BMR manages the  Portfolio's investments and  affairs.  BMR
     also furnishes for the  use of the Portfolio office space and all necessary
     office facilities,  equipment and personnel  for servicing the  investments
     of  the  Portfolio.   Under  its  investment  advisory  agreement with  the
     Portfolio, BMR receives  a monthly advisory  fee of  .0625% (equivalent  to
     .75% annually) of the average daily net assets of  the Portfolio up to $500
     million. On  net assets of $500 million and  over the annual fee is reduced
     as follows:
         
        
                Average Daily Net                            Annualized Fee Rate
              Assets for the Month                             (for each level) 
              --------------------                           -------------------
         
     $500 million but less than $1 billion . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   0.6875%

                                         A-6
<PAGE>






     $1 billion but less than $1.5 billion   . . . . . . . . . . . . .   0.6250%
     $1.5 billion but less than $2 billion   . . . . . . . . . . . . .   0.5625%
     $2 billion but less than $3 billion   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   0.5000%
     $3 billion and over   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   0.4375%
        
              As  at  December  31,  1995,  the  Portfolio  had  net  assets  of
     $521,670,325.  For the fiscal  year ended December 31, 1995,  the Portfolio
     paid  BMR advisory  fees  equivalent to  0.75%  of the  Portfolio's average
     daily net assets for such year.
         
        
              BMR  or  Eaton Vance  acts  as  investment  adviser to  investment
     companies  and various  individual and  institutional  clients with  assets
     under  management  of over  $16  billion.  Eaton  Vance  is a  wholly-owned
     subsidiary of  Eaton Vance Corp.,  a publicly-held  holding company.  Eaton
     Vance Corp., through its  subsidiaries and affiliates, engages primarily in
     investment management, administration, and marketing activities.
         
        
              Timothy  O'Brien  has  acted  as  the  portfolio  manager  of  the
     Portfolio  since January,  1995. Mr. O'Brien  joined Eaton Vance  as a Vice
     President  on April 25, 1994.  Prior to joining Eaton Vance, he served as a
     Vice President of Loomis, Sayles & Co.  
         
        
              BMR places  the portfolio transactions of  the Portfolio with many
     broker-dealers firms and uses its best efforts to obtain  execution of such
     transactions at  prices  that are  advantageous  to  the Portfolio  and  at
     reasonably competitive commission  rates. Subject to the foregoing, BMR may
     consider sales of shares  of other investment companies sponsored by BMR or
     Eaton Vance as a factor in the selection of broker-dealer firms to  execute
     portfolio transactions.
         
        
               The  Portfolio is responsible for the payment of all of its costs
     and  expenses  not  expressly  stated  to  be  payable  by  BMR  under  the
     investment advisory agreement.
         
     ITEM 6.  CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES
              The Portfolio is organized as a trust under the  laws of the State
     of New  York and  intends to be  treated as  a partnership for  federal tax
     purposes. Under  the Declaration of  Trust, the Trustees  are authorized to
     issue interests in  the Portfolio. Each investor  is entitled to a  vote in
     proportion to  the amount of  its investment in  the Portfolio. Investments
     in the Portfolio may not be transferred,  but an investor may withdraw  all
     or any portion of its investment at any time at  net asset value. Investors
     in the Portfolio will each be liable for  all obligations of the Portfolio.
     However, the risk of an investor in  the Portfolio incurring financial loss
     on account  of such  liability is  limited to  circumstances in which  both
     inadequate insurance exists and the Portfolio itself is unable to meet  its
     obligations.


                                         A-7
<PAGE>






              The  Declaration  of  Trust   provides  that  the  Portfolio  will
     terminate  120 days after  the complete withdrawal  of any  investor in the
     Portfolio unless either  the remaining investors,  by unanimous  vote at  a
     meeting of such investors, or a majority of the Trustees of the  Portfolio,
     by written instrument consented to by all investors, agree  to continue the
     business of the  Portfolio. This provision is consistent with the treatment
     of the Portfolio as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
        
              Investments  in the  Portfolio  have no  preemptive  or conversion
     rights  and are  fully paid and  nonassessable by the  Portfolio, except as
     set  forth  above.  The  Portfolio  is  not  required and  has  no  current
     intention  to hold annual meetings of investors, but the Portfolio may hold
     special meetings of  investors when in the  judgment of the Trustees  it is
     necessary or  desirable to submit matters for an  investor vote. Changes in
     fundamental policies  or restrictions will  be submitted  to investors  for
     approval.  The  investment  objective  and  all  nonfundamental  investment
     policies of the Portfolio  may be changed by the Trustees of  the Portfolio
     without  obtaining  the  approval  of  the  investors  in   the  Portfolio.
     Investors  have under  certain circumstances  (e.g.,  upon application  and
     submission of  certain specified documents  to the Trustees  by a specified
     number  of investors)  the  right to  communicate  with other  investors in
     connection with  requesting  a meeting  of  investors  for the  purpose  of
     removing  one  or  more  Trustees.  Any  Trustee  may  be  removed  by  the
     affirmative  vote  of  holders  of  two-thirds  of  the  interests  in  the
     Portfolio.
         
        
              Information  regarding pooled  investment entities  or funds  that
     invest  in  the  Portfolio  may  be  obtained  by  contacting  Eaton  Vance
     Distributors, Inc.,  24 Federal Street,  Boston, MA 02110, (617)  482-8260.
     Smaller  investors  in the  Portfolio  may  be  adversely  affected by  the
     actions of  a larger  investor in the  Portfolio. For  example, if a  large
     investor  withdraws  from  the  Portfolio,  the   remaining  investors  may
     experience  higher pro  rata operating  expenses,  thereby producing  lower
     returns. Additionally, the  Portfolio may hold fewer  securities, resulting
     in increased portfolio risk, and experience decreasing economies  of scale.
     However,  this possibility exists as well for historically structured funds
     that have large or institutional investors.
         
        
              As of April  1, 1996, EV Traditional Total Return  Fund controlled
     the Portfolio  by virtue of  owning approximately 87.6%  of the outstanding
     voting interests in the Portfolio.
         
              The  net asset  value of the Portfolio  is determined  each day on
     which the  New York Stock  Exchange (the  "Exchange") is  open for  trading
     ("Portfolio  Business Day").  This  determination  is made  each  Portfolio
     Business Day as of  the close of regular trading on the Exchange (currently
     4:00 p.m., New York time) (the "Portfolio Valuation Time").

              Each  investor  in  the  Portfolio  may  add  to  or  reduce   its
     investment in  the  Portfolio on  each  Portfolio Business  Day  as of  the

                                         A-8
<PAGE>






     Portfolio Valuation  Time. The  value of  each investor's  interest in  the
     Portfolio will  be determined by  multiplying the  net asset  value of  the
     Portfolio by  the percentage,  determined on  the prior Portfolio  Business
     Day, which represented that investor's  share of the aggregate  interest in
     the Portfolio  on  such prior  day. Any  additions or  withdrawals for  the
     current Portfolio  Business  Day will  then  be recorded.  Each  investor's
     percentage of  the  aggregate  interest  in  the  Portfolio  will  then  be
     recomputed as a percentage  equal to a fraction (i) the numerator  of which
     is the  value of  such investor's  investment in  the Portfolio  as of  the
     Portfolio Valuation  Time  on the  prior  Portfolio  Business Day  plus  or
     minus, as  the case may be, the  amount of any additions  to or withdrawals
     from the  investor's investment in  the Portfolio on  the current Portfolio
     Business Day and  (ii) the denominator of which  is the aggregate net asset
     value of  the Portfolio  as of the  Portfolio Valuation  Time on the  prior
     Portfolio  Business Day plus  or minus, as the  case may be,  the amount of
     the  net additions to  or withdrawals from the  aggregate investment in the
     Portfolio  on the current  Portfolio Business  Day by all  investors in the
     Portfolio. The percentage so determined  will then be applied  to determine
     the value  of the  investor's interest  in the  Portfolio  for the  current
     Portfolio Business Day.

              The Portfolio will allocate at  least annually among its investors
     its  net investment income, net realized capital gains, and any other items
     of income, gain,  loss, deduction or credit. The Portfolio's net investment
     income consists  of all income accrued on the  Portfolio's assets, less all
     actual and accrued  expenses of the Portfolio determined in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting principles.

              Under the  anticipated method  of operation of the  Portfolio, the
     Portfolio will  not be subject  to any  federal income tax.   (See Part  B,
     Item 20.)   However, each investor in the  Portfolio will take into account
     its allocable share of the Portfolio's ordinary income  and capital gain in
     determining its  federal income tax  liability. The  determination of  each
     such share  will be made  in accordance  with the governing  instruments of
     the Portfolio,  which are intended to  comply with the  requirements of the
     Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
        
              It  is intended  that the  Portfolio's assets  and income  will be
     managed in such  a way  that an  investor in  the Portfolio  that seeks  to
     qualify as a  regulated investment company under  the Code will be  able to
     satisfy the requirements for such qualification.
         
     ITEM 7.  PURCHASE OF INTERESTS IN THE PORTFOLIO
              Interests in the Portfolio  are issued solely in private placement
     transactions that do not involve  any "public offering" within  the meaning
     of Section  4(2) of the 1933  Act. See "General  Description of Registrant"
     above.

              An investment in the Portfolio will be  made without a sales load.
     All investments received by  the Portfolio will be effected as of  the next
     Portfolio  Valuation  Time.  The  net  asset  value  of  the  Portfolio  is
     determined at the  Portfolio Valuation Time on each Portfolio Business Day.

                                         A-9
<PAGE>






     The Portfolio will  be closed for business  and will not determine  its net
     asset  value   on  the  following  business   holidays:  New   Year's  Day,
     Presidents' Day, Good  Friday (a New York Stock Exchange holiday), Memorial
     Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,  Thanksgiving Day and Christmas  Day. The
     Portfolio's  net asset  value  is computed  in  accordance with  procedures
     established by the Portfolio's Trustees.
        
              The Portfolio's net asset value is determined by Investors Bank  &
     Trust Company  (as custodian  and agent  for the Portfolio)  in the  manner
     authorized  by  the Trustees  of  the  Portfolio. The  net  asset value  is
     computed by subtracting the liabilities of the Portfolio from the  value of
     its  total assets.  Securities  listed on  securities  exchanges or  in the
     NASDAQ National  Market are valued  at closing  sale prices.   For  further
     information regarding the  valuation of the Portfolio's assets, see Part B,
     Item 19.
         
              There  is  no minimum  initial  or  subsequent  investment in  the
     Portfolio. The Portfolio reserves the right to cease  accepting investments
     at any time or to reject any investment order.

              The   placement   agent  for   the   Portfolio   is   Eaton  Vance
     Distributors, Inc. ("EVD").  The principal business  address of  EVD is  24
     Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts  02110. EVD receives no  compensation
     for serving as the placement agent for the Portfolio.
        
     ITEM 8.  REDEMPTION OR DECREASE OF INTEREST
              An investor in the Portfolio  may withdraw all of (redeem)  or any
     portion  of  (decrease) its  interest  in  the  Portfolio  if a  withdrawal
     request in proper form  is furnished by the investor to the  Portfolio. All
     withdrawals  will be effected as of the  next Portfolio Valuation Time. The
     proceeds  of a withdrawal  will be  paid by  the Portfolio normally  on the
     Portfolio Business Day the withdrawal is effected, but  in any event within
     seven days.  The Portfolio  reserves the  right to  pay the  proceeds of  a
     withdrawal  (whether a redemption or decrease) by a distribution in kind of
     portfolio  securities (instead  of  cash).  The securities  so  distributed
     would be valued at the same amount as that assigned to them  in calculating
     the net  asset value for the  interest (whether complete or  partial) being
     withdrawn.  If  an investor  received  a  distribution  in  kind upon  such
     withdrawal,  the  investor  could incur  brokerage  and  other  charges  in
     converting  the  securities to  cash.  The  Portfolio  has  filed with  the
     Commission a notification of  election on Form N-18F-1 committing to pay in
     cash all requests for  withdrawals by any investor, limited in  amount with
     respect to  such investor during  any 90  day period to  the lesser of  (a)
     $250,000  or (b)  1%  of  the  net asset  value  of  the Portfolio  at  the
     beginning of such period.
         
              Investments in the Portfolio may not be transferred.

              The right of any investor  to receive payment with respect  to any
     withdrawal  may be  suspended  or the  payment  of the  withdrawal proceeds
     postponed during any  period in which  the Exchange  is closed (other  than
     weekends or holidays)  or trading on the Exchange  is restricted or, to the

                                         A-10
<PAGE>






     extent otherwise permitted  by the  1940 Act,  if an  emergency exists,  or
     during  any  other period  permitted  by order  of  the Commission  for the
     protection of investors.

     ITEM 9.  PENDING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
              Not applicable.















































                                         A-11
<PAGE>







                                       PART B 

     ITEM 10.  COVER PAGE.
              Not applicable.

     ITEM 11.  TABLE OF CONTENTS.
                                                                            PAGE
        
     General Information and History   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B- 1
     Investment Objectives and Policies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B- 1
     Management of the Portfolio   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B- 7
     Control Persons and Principal Holder of Securities  . . . . . . . . .  B-10
     Investment Advisory and Other Services  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B-10
     Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B-13
     Capital Stock and Other Securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B-15
     Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Securities  . . . . . . . . . . .  B-17
     Tax Status  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B-18
     Underwriters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B-21
     Calculation of Performance Data   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B-21
     Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B-21
         
     ITEM 12.  GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY.
              Not applicable.

     ITEM 13.  INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES.
              Part  A  contains  additional  information  about  the  investment
     objective and policies of  Total Return  Portfolio (the "Portfolio").  This
     Part B should be read  in conjunction with Part A.   Capitalized terms used
     in this Part  B and not otherwise  defined have the meanings given  them in
     Part A.
        
         
     Leverage Through Borrowing
              The practice  of leveraging  to enhance  investment return  may be
     viewed as a  speculative activity.  Leveraging will exaggerate any increase
     or decrease in  the market value of  the securities held by  the Portfolio.
     Money  borrowed for leveraging will be  subject to interest costs which may
     or  may  not  exceed  the  dividends  for  the  securities  purchased.  The
     Portfolio may  also be  required to  maintain minimum  average balances  in
     connection with  such borrowing  or to  pay a  commitment or  other fee  to
     maintain a line of  credit; either of these requirements will  increase the
     cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.
        
              The  Portfolio  and  the  other  investment companies  managed  by
     Boston  Management   and  Research  ("BMR")   or  Eaton  Vance   Management
     participate in a  Line of Credit  Agreement (the  "Credit Agreement")  with
     Citibank N.A.  ("Citibank"). Citibank agrees,  in the Credit Agreement,  to
     consider  requests from  the Portfolio and  such other investment companies
     that Citibank  make advances ("Advances")  to the Portfolio  and such other
     investment  companies from time to  time. The aggregate  amount of all such
     Advances  to all  such  borrowers will  not  exceed $120,000,000,  of which

                                        B - 1
<PAGE>






     $100,000,000  is a discretionary  facility and  $20,000,000 is  a committed
     facility. The Portfolio  has currently determined that its borrowings under
     the Credit  Agreement will  not exceed, at  any one  time outstanding,  the
     lesser of (a)   1/3 of the  current market value of  the net assets of  the
     Portfolio or (b)  $60,000,000 (the  "Amount Available  to the  Portfolio").
     The Portfolio is obligated to pay to  Citibank, in addition to interest  on
     Advances made  to it, a quarterly fee on the $20,000,000 committed facility
     and on the  daily unused portion of  the Amount Available to  the Portfolio
     at  the  rate of    1/4  of 1%  per  annum.  The  Credit  Agreement may  be
     terminated by Citibank or  the borrowers  at any time  upon 30 days'  prior
     written notice.  The Portfolio expects to use  the proceeds of the Advances
     primarily for leveraging purposes. As  at December 31, 1995,  the Portfolio
     had no outstanding loans pursuant to the Credit Agreement. 
         
        
         
              The ability  of the  Portfolio  to borrow  could be  partially  or
     entirely curtailed in  the event that the  Credit Control Act of  1969 were
     to be  invoked and  the Federal  Reserve Board  were to  limit or  prohibit
     certain extensions of  credit. This Act empowers the Federal Reserve Board,
     when authorized  by  the President,  to  regulate  directly the  costs  and
     allocation of funds in the credit market.
        
     Risks Associated With Derivative Instruments
              Entering into  a derivative  instrument involves  a risk that  the
     applicable market will move against  the Portfolio's position and  that the
     Portfolio  will  incur a  loss.    For  derivative  instruments other  than
     purchased  options,  this  loss  may  exceed  the  amount  of  the  initial
     investment  made or  the  premium received  by  the Portfolio.   Derivative
     instruments may sometimes increase or leverage  the Portfolio's exposure to
     a particular  market risk.   Leverage enhances the  Portfolio's exposure to
     the price volatility of derivative  instruments it holds.   The Portfolio's
     success in using derivative  instruments to hedge portfolio  assets depends
     on the degree of price  correlation between the derivative  instruments and
     the hedged asset.   Imperfect correlation may be caused by several factors,
     including temporary  price disparities  among the  trading markets  for the
     derivative instrument, the assets underlying the  derivative instrument and
     the  Portfolio assets.    Over-the-counter ("OTC")  derivative  instruments
     involve an  enhanced risk  that  the issuer  or counterparty  will fail  to
     perform its contractual obligations.   Some derivative instruments are  not
     readily marketable or may become illiquid under adverse market  conditions.
     In addition, during  periods of market volatility, a commodity exchange may
     suspend  or limit  trading  in  an exchange-traded  derivative  instrument,
     which may  make the contract  temporarily illiquid and  difficult to price.
     Commodity  exchanges may also establish daily limits on the amount that the
     price of a  futures contract or futures  option can vary from  the previous
     day's settlement  price.  Once the daily limit is reached, no trades may be
     made  that  day at  the  price beyond  the  limit.   This  may  prevent the
     Portfolio  from closing out  positions and limiting its  losses.  The staff
     of  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission   ("Commission")  takes  the
     position that purchased OTC options,  and assets used as cover  for written
     OTC  options,  are  subject  to  the  Portfolio's  15%  limit  on  illiquid

                                        B - 2
<PAGE>






     investments.    The   Portfolio's  ability  to  terminate   OTC  derivative
     instruments may depend  on the cooperation  of the  counterparties to  such
     contracts.   The Portfolio  expects to  purchase and  write only  exchange-
     traded  options until  such time  as the  Portfolio's management determines
     that the OTC  options market is  sufficiently developed  and the  Portfolio
     has amended its prospectus so  that appropriate disclosure is  furnished to
     prospective  and  existing  shareholders.   For  thinly  traded  derivative
     instruments, the only source  of price quotations may be the selling dealer
     or counterparty.  In addition,  certain provisions of the  Internal Revenue
     Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), limit the extent to which the  Portfolio
     may purchase  and sell derivative  instruments.  The  Portfolio will engage
     in transactions  in  futures contracts  and  related  options only  to  the
     extent such transactions are consistent  with the requirements of  the Code
     for maintaining the  qualification of  each of  the Portfolio's  investment
     company investors as  a regulated investment company for federal income tax
     purposes.  See "Tax Status."
         
        
     Asset Coverage for Derivative Instruments
              Transactions  using  forward   contracts,  futures  contracts  and
     options (other  than options that  the Portfolio has  purchased) expose the
     Portfolio to an obligation to another party.  The Portfolio will not  enter
     into any  such  transactions  unless  it  owns  either  (1)  an  offsetting
     ("covered")  position  in  securities,  currencies,  or  other  options  or
     futures contracts  or  forward  contracts, or  (2)  cash,  receivables  and
     liquid, high-grade debt securities with a value  sufficient at all times to
     cover its potential obligations  not covered as provided in (1) above.  The
     Portfolio  will comply with Commission guidelines regarding cover for these
     instruments  and,  if the  guidelines  so  require,  set  aside cash,  U.S.
     Government  securities or  other liquid,  high-grade debt  securities in  a
     segregated account with its custodian in the prescribed amount.
         
              Assets  used as cover or  held in  a segregated account  cannot be
     sold  while the  position in  the corresponding  forward  contract, futures
     contract  or  option  is  open,   unless  they  are  replaced   with  other
     appropriate assets.  As a result, the commitment of a large portion  of the
     Portfolio's assets to  cover or segregated accounts  could impede portfolio
     management or the  Portfolio's ability to meet redemption requests or other
     current obligations.
        
     Limitations on Futures Contracts and Options
              If  the Portfolio has not complied with the 5% CFTC test set forth
     in Part A,  to evidence its hedging intent,  the Portfolio expects that, on
     75%  or more of the occasions on which it takes a long futures or option on
     futures position,  it will  have purchased  or will  be in  the process  of
     purchasing, equivalent amounts of related  securities at the time  when the
     futures or  options position is closed out.   However, in particular cases,
     when  it is economically  advantageous for the Portfolio  to do  so, a long
     futures or  options position  may be terminated  (or an option  may expire)
     without a corresponding purchase or securities.
         
        

                                        B - 3
<PAGE>






              The  Portfolio may  enter into futures  contracts, and  options on
     futures  contracts, traded  on an  exchange regulated  by  the CFTC  and on
     foreign exchanges,  but, with  respect to  foreign exchange-traded  futures
     contracts and options  on such futures  contracts, only  if the  Investment
     Adviser determines  that trading  on each  such foreign  exchange does  not
     subject the Portfolio  to risks, including credit and liquidity risks, that
     are materially greater  than the risks  associated with  training on  CFTC-
     regulated exchanges.
         
              In order to hedge its current or anticipated  portfolio positions,
     the  Portfolio  may  use  futures  contracts  on  securities  held  in  its
     portfolio or on  securities with characteristics  similar to  those of  the
     securities held by the  Portfolio.   If, in the  opinion of the  Investment
     Adviser, there is a sufficient  degree of correlation between  price trends
     for the  securities held by  the Portfolio and  futures contracts based  on
     other  financial instruments,  securities  indices  or other  indices,  the
     Portfolio  may also  enter  into  such futures  contracts  as  part of  its
     hedging strategy.

              All  call and put  options on securities written  by the Portfolio
     will be  covered.   This means  that, in  the case  of a  call option,  the
     Portfolio  will  own  the  securities  subject to  the  call  option  or an
     offsetting  call option so long as the  call option is outstanding.  In the
     case of  a put option, the Portfolio  will own an offsetting  put option or
     will have  deposited with  its custodian  cash or  liquid, high-grade  debt
     securities  with a value  at least equal  to the exercise price  of the put
     option.   The Portfolio may only  write a put option on  a security that it
     intends ultimately to acquire for its investment portfolio.
        
     Lending of Securities
              The  Portfolio  may  seek  to   increase  its  income  by  lending
     portfolio  securities to broker-dealers  or other  institutional borrowers.
     Under present  regulatory policies of  the Commission, such  loans would be
     required  to  be   secured  continuously  by  collateral   in  cash,   cash
     equivalents  or  U.S.   Government  securities  held  by   the  Portfolio's
     custodian and maintained on a current basis at an amount at least  equal to
     the market value  of the securities loaned  which will be marked  to market
     daily. The  Portfolio would have the  right to call  a loan and  obtain the
     securities  loaned at any  time on  five business days'  notice. During the
     existence of  a loan, the Portfolio will continue to receive the equivalent
     of the interest  or dividends paid by  the issuer on the  securities loaned
     and will  also  receive a  fee, or  all or  a portion  of  the interest  on
     investment of  the  collateral, if  any.  However,  the Portfolio  may  pay
     lending fees to such  borrowers. The Portfolio would not have the  right to
     vote  any securities having voting rights during the existence of the loan,
     but would call the  loan in anticipation of  an important vote to be  taken
     among  holders of  the securities  or the  giving or  withholding  of their
     consent on  a  material matter  affecting  the  investment. As  with  other
     extensions  of credit there are risks of  delay in recovery or even loss of
     rights  in the securities  loaned if  the borrower of  the securities fails
     financially. However, the  loans would be made only to organizations deemed
     by  the Portfolio's management  to be  of good  standing and, when,  in the

                                        B - 4
<PAGE>






     judgment  of  the Portfolio's  management,  the consideration  that  can be
     earned from securities  loans of this  type justifies  the attendant  risk.
     Securities lending  involves  administration expenses,  including  finders'
     fees.    If  the management  of the  Portfolio decides  to make  securities
     loans, it  is intended that  the value of  the securities loaned would  not
     exceed 30%  of the  Portfolio's total  assets.   At the  present time,  the
     Portfolio's Trustees  have  not made  a  determination  to engage  in  this
     activity, and  have no  present intention  of making  such a  determination
     during the current fiscal year.  
         
        
     Portfolio Turnover
              The portfolio turnover  rate of the Portfolio is likely  to exceed
     100%, but  under normal  conditions is not  likely to  exceed 250%. A  100%
     turnover  rate occurs if  all of the securities  held by  the Portfolio are
     sold and either  repurchased or replaced  within one  year. High  portfolio
     turnover involves  correspondingly greater brokerage commissions  and other
     transaction  costs, which will be  borne directly by  the Portfolio. It may
     also  result  in   the  realization  of  capital  gains.    See  "Brokerage
     Allocation and  Other  Practices"  for  a  discussion  of  the  Portfolio's
     brokerage  practices.  The  portfolio  turnover  rates  of  the  Portfolio,
     exclusive of transactions  in securities whose  maturities at  the time  of
     acquisition were one year or less, for the  fiscal years ended December 31,
     1994 and 1995, were 107% and 103%, respectively.
         
        
     Investment Restrictions
              The  Portfolio has adopted  the following  investment restrictions
     which  may  not be  changed  without  the  approval  of the  holders  of  a
     "majority of the  outstanding voting securities" of the Portfolio, which as
     used in this Part B means the lesser of (a) 67%  or more of the outstanding
     voting  securities of  the Portfolio present  or represented by  proxy at a
     meeting  if  the  holders  of  more  than  50% of  the  outstanding  voting
     securities of the Portfolio  are present or  represented at the meeting  or
     (b) more  than 50% of the  outstanding voting securities  of the Portfolio.
     The  term  "voting  securities" as  used  in this  paragraph  has  the same
     meaning as in the  Investment Company Act of 1940  (the "1940 Act").   As a
     matter of fundamental policy, the Portfolio may not:
         
              (1) With respect to 75% of its  total assets, invest more than  5%
     of  its total assets in  the securities of any  one issuer or purchase more
     than 10%  of the outstanding  voting securities of  any one issuer,  except
     obligations issued  or guaranteed by  the U.S. Government,  its agencies or
     instrumentalities and except securities of other investment companies;

              (2) Borrow  money or issue senior  securities except as  permitted
     by the Investment Company Act of 1940;

              (3) Purchase securities  on margin (but  the Portfolio  may obtain
     such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of  purchases
     and  sales of  securities).  The deposit  or  payment by  the Portfolio  of
     initial, maintenance  or variation margin  in connection with  all types of

                                        B - 5
<PAGE>






     options and futures contract  transactions is  not considered the  purchase
     of securities on margin;

              (4) Underwrite or  participate in the  marketing of  securities of
     others,  except  insofar  as  it  may  technically  be  deemed   to  be  an
     underwriter in selling a  portfolio security under circumstances  which may
     require the registration of the same under the Securities Act of 1933;

              (5)  Make an  investment in  any one  industry if  such investment
     would cause investments in such  industry to exceed 25% of the  Portfolio's
     total  assets  (taken at  market  value)  except  that  the Portfolio  will
     concentrate at  least  25% of  its  investments  in utility  stocks  (i.e.,
     principally electric, gas and telephone companies);

              (6) Purchase  or sell real  estate, although it  may purchase  and
     sell securities  which  are  secured  by  real  estate  and  securities  of
     companies which invest or deal in real estate;

              (7)  Purchase or  sell physical commodities  or contracts  for the
     purchase or sale of physical commodities; or

              (8) Make  loans to any  person except  by (a)  the acquisition  of
     debt  securities  and  making  portfolio  investments,  (b)  entering  into
     repurchase agreements and (c) lending portfolio securities.
        
              The Portfolio has adopted  the following investment policies which
     may be changed by the Portfolio without  the approval of its investors.  As
     a matter of  nonfundamental policy, the Portfolio may  not: (a) invest more
     than 15% of  net assets in  investments which  are not readily  marketable,
     including restricted securities  and repurchase agreements with  a maturity
     longer than  seven days.  Restricted securities  for the  purposes of  this
     limitation do not include securities  eligible for resale pursuant  to Rule
     144A of the Securities  Act of 1933 and commercial paper issued pursuant to
     Section 4(2)  of said  Act that  the Board  of Trustees,  or its  delegate,
     determines to  be liquid; (b) purchase warrants in excess  of 5% of its net
     assets, of which 2% may  be warrants which are  not listed on the New  York
     or American Stock Exchange; (c) make short  sales of securities or maintain
     a short  position, unless at  all times  when a short  position is open  it
     owns an equal  amount of such securities or  securities convertible into or
     exchangeable, without payment of any further  consideration, for securities
     of  the same issue as,  and equal in amount  to, the securities sold short,
     and unless no more than 25%  of its net assets (taken at current value)  is
     held as  collateral for  such sales  at any  one time. (It  is the  present
     intention  of  management  to  make  such sales  only  for  the  purpose of
     deferring realization of  gain or loss  for federal  income tax  purposes);
     (d) purchase securities of  any issuer  which, including predecessors,  has
     not been in continuous  operation for at least three years, except  that 5%
     of its total  assets (taken  at market value)  may be  invested in  certain
     issuers not in  such continuous operation  but substantially  all of  whose
     assets are  (i) securities of one or  more issuers which have  had a record
     of  three years'  continuous  operation or  (ii)  assets of  an independent
     division of  an issuer  which division  has had  a record  of three  years'

                                        B - 6
<PAGE>






     continuous   operation;  provided,   however,  that   exempted  from   this
     restriction are  U.S. Government  securities, securities  of issuers  which
     are  rated  by  at  least  one  nationally  recognized  statistical  rating
     organization,  municipal obligations and  obligations issued  or guaranteed
     by  any  foreign  government  or  its  agencies or  instrumentalities;  (e)
     purchase or retain in  its portfolio any securities issued by an issuer any
     of whose  officers, directors, trustees  or security holders  is an officer
     or trustee of  the Portfolio or is  a member, officer, director  or trustee
     of any investment  adviser of the Portfolio,  if after the purchase  of the
     securities  of such issuer  by the  Portfolio one  or more of  such persons
     owns beneficially more than  1/2 of 1% of the shares or securities  or both
     (all  taken at market  value) of such issuer  and such  persons owning more
     than   1/2 of  1% of  such shares  of securities together  own beneficially
     more than  5% of  such shares or  securities or both  (all taken  at market
     value);  (f)  purchase  oil,  gas  or  other  mineral  leases  or  purchase
     partnership  interests  in  oil,   gas  or  other  mineral  exploration  or
     development programs;  and (g) invest  more than 20%  of its net assets  in
     the securities of foreign issuers.  (For purposes of restriction  (g), U.S.
     dollar-denominated ADRs  and GDRs traded  on a U.S.  exchange shall  not be
     deemed foreign securities.)
         
              It is  contrary to  the  present policy  of the  Portfolio,  which
     policy may be  changed without investor  approval, to  purchase any  voting
     security of any electric or gas utility  company (as defined by the  Public
     Utility Holding  Company Act of  1935) if  as a result  it would then  hold
     more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of such company.
        
              Whenever an investment policy  or investment restriction set forth
     in  Part A or this Part B states a maximum percentage of assets that may be
     invested in any  security or other asset,  or describes a  policy regarding
     quality  standards,  such  percentage  limitation  or   standard  shall  be
     determined  immediately  after   and  as   a  result  of   the  Portfolio's
     acquisition  of  such  security  or  other  asset.  Accordingly,  any later
     increase or  decrease resulting from  a change  in values, assets  or other
     circumstances,  other than  a  subsequent  rating change  below  investment
     grade made by  a rating service, will  not compel the Portfolio  to dispose
     of such  security  or other  asset.    Notwithstanding the  foregoing,  the
     Portfolio must always be in compliance with the borrowing  policy set forth
     above.
         
        
              In  order  to permit  the  sale  in certain  states  of  shares of
     certain open-end investment companies  that are investors in the Portfolio,
     the  Portfolio may  make  commitments more  restrictive  than the  policies
     described above.  Should the  Portfolio determine that  any such commitment
     is no longer in the  best interests of the Portfolio and its  investors, it
     will revoke such commitment.
         
     ITEM 14.  MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO
              The  Trustees  and officers  of the  Portfolio  are  listed below.
     Except as indicated,  each individual has  held the  office shown or  other
     offices in  the same  company for  the last  five  years. Unless  otherwise

                                        B - 7
<PAGE>






     noted,  the business  address of  each  Trustee and  officer is  24 Federal
     Street,  Boston, Massachusetts  02110,  which is  also  the address  of the
     Portfolio's investment  adviser, Boston Management  and Research ("BMR"  or
     the  "Investment  Adviser"),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  Eaton  Vance
     Management  ("Eaton Vance");  of  Eaton Vance's  parent, Eaton  Vance Corp.
     ("EVC"); and of BMR's and Eaton Vance's trustee, Eaton Vance, Inc.  ("EV").
     Eaton  Vance  and EV  are  both  wholly-owned  subsidiaries  of EVC.  Those
     Trustees who are "interested persons"  of the Portfolio, BMR,  Eaton Vance,
     EVC or EV, as defined  in the 1940 Act, by virtue of their affiliation with
     any one  or  more  of the  Portfolio,  BMR, Eaton  Vance,  EVC or  EV,  are
     indicated by an asterisk(*).

                              TRUSTEES OF THE PORTFOLIO

        
     M. DOZIER GARDNER (62), President and Trustee*
     President and Chief Executive Officer of BMR, Eaton  Vance, EVC and EV, and
     a  Director of  EVC  and EV.  Director or  Trustee  and officer  of various
     investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR.
         
        
     JAMES B. HAWKES (54), Vice President and Trustee* 
     Executive Vice President  of BMR, Eaton Vance,  EVC and EV, and  a Director
     of  EVC  and EV.  Director  or Trustee  and  officer of  various investment
     companies managed  by Eaton  Vance or  BMR.   Mr. Hawkes  was elected  Vice
     President on June 14, 1993.
         
        
     DONALD R. DWIGHT (65), Trustee
     President   of  Dwight   Partners,   Inc.   (a  corporate   relations   and
     communications  company)  founded  in  1988;  Chairman  of   the  Board  of
     Newspapers of New England, Inc. since 1983. Director  or Trustee of various
     investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR.
     Address: Clover Mill Lane, Lyme, New Hampshire 03768
         
        
         
        
     SAMUEL L. HAYES, III (61), Trustee
     Jacob  H.  Schiff Professor  of  Investment Banking  at  Harvard University
     Graduate School of Business Administration. Director or Trustee of  various
     investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. 
     Address:  Harvard University  Graduate School  of Business  Administration,
     Soldiers Field Road, Boston, Massachusetts 02163
         
        
     NORTON H. REAMER (60), Trustee
     President  and Director,  United Asset  Management  Corporation, a  holding
     company  owning  institutional  investment   management  firms.   Chairman,
     President and Director,  UAM Funds (mutual funds).   Director or Trustee of
     various investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. 
     Address: One International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

                                        B - 8
<PAGE>






         
        
     JOHN L. THORNDIKE (69), Trustee
     Director, Fiduciary  Company Incorporated. Director  or Trustee of  various
     investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. 
     Address: 175 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
         
        
     JACK L. TREYNOR (66), Trustee
     Investment  Adviser  and   Consultant.  Director  or  Trustee   of  various
     investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. 
     Address: 504 Via Almar, Palos Verdes Estates, California 90274
         
                              OFFICERS OF THE PORTFOLIO
        
     TIMOTHY P. O'BRIEN (41), Vice President
     Vice President  of BMR,  Eaton Vance  and EV  since April 25,  1994.   Vice
     President of Loomis,  Sayles & Co.  (1986-1994).   Mr. O'Brien was  elected
     Vice President on June 19, 1995.
         
        
     JAMES L. O'CONNOR (51), Treasurer
     Vice President of BMR,  Eaton Vance and EV.  Officer of  various investment
     companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR.
         
        
         
        
     THOMAS OTIS (64), Secretary
     Vice President and  Secretary of BMR, Eaton  Vance, EVC and EV.  Officer of
     various investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR.
         
        
     JANET E. SANDERS (60), Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
     Vice President  of BMR, Eaton Vance  and EV. Officer  of various investment
     companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR.
         
        
     A. JOHN MURPHY (33), Assistant Secretary
     Assistant Vice President  of BMR, Eaton Vance  and EV since March  1, 1994;
     employee of Eaton  Vance since March 1993.   Officer of  various investment
     companies managed by  Eaton Vance or  BMR.   State Regulations  Supervisor,
     The  Boston  Company  (1991-1993)  and  Registration  Specialist,  Fidelity
     Management &  Research Co. (1986-1991).   Mr. Murphy  was elected Assistant
     Secretary on March 27, 1995.
         
        
     ERIC G. WOODBURY (38), Assistant Secretary
     Vice  President of BMR,  Eaton Vance and EV  since February 1993; formerly,
     associate attorney at Dechert,  Price & Rhoads and Gaston & Snow.   Officer
     of various  investment  companies managed  by  Eaton  Vance or  BMR.    Mr.
     Woodbury was elected Assistant Secretary on June 19, 1995.

                                        B - 9
<PAGE>






         
        
              Messrs. Thorndike (Chairman), Hayes  and Reamer are members of the
     Special Committee of  the Board of Trustees of  the Portfolio.  The purpose
     of the Special  Committee is to consider, evaluate and make recommendations
     to the full Board of  Trustees concerning (i) all  contractual arrangements
     with service  providers to  the Portfolio,  including investment  advisory,
     fund accounting,  and custodial  services, and  (ii) all  other matters  in
     which Eaton  Vance or its affiliates  has any actual or  potential conflict
     of interest with the Portfolio or its interestholders.  
         
        
              The Nominating Committee  is comprised  of four  Trustees who  are
     not  "interested  persons"  as that  term  is defined  under  the  1940 Act
     ("noninterested Trustees").   The Committee has four-year  staggered terms,
     with one  member  rotating off  the Committee  to  be replaced  by  another
     noninterested Trustee of the Portfolio.   Messrs. Hayes (Chairman), Reamer,
     Thorndike and  Treynor are currently serving on the Committee.  The purpose
     of the Committee is to  recommend to the Board nominees for the position of
     noninterested Trustee and to  assure that at least a majority of  the Board
     of Trustees is independent of Eaton Vance and its affiliates.
         
        
              Messrs. Treynor  (Chairman) and  Dwight are members  of the  Audit
     Committee  of  the  Board  of   Trustees  of  the  Portfolio.    The  Audit
     Committee's  functions  include  making  recommendations  to  the  Trustees
     regarding the selection of the independent accountants, and  reviewing with
     such accountants and  the Treasurer of  the Portfolio  matters relative  to
     trading  and brokerage  policies  and  practices, accounting  and  auditing
     practices  and   procedures,   accounting  records,   internal   accounting
     controls, and the functions performed by the custodian of the Portfolio.
         
        
              The  fees and  expenses of those Trustees  who are  not members of
     the Eaton Vance organization (the  noninterested Trustees) are paid  by the
     Portfolio. (The  Trustees who are  members of the  Eaton Vance organization
     receive no compensation from the Portfolio.)   During the fiscal year ended
     December  31, 1995,  the  Trustees of  the  Portfolio earned  the following
     compensation in their  capacities as Trustees  from the  Portfolio and  the
     other funds in the Eaton Vance fund complex(1):
         
        
                      Aggregate                 Total Compensation
                      Compensation              from Portfolio and
     Name             from Portfolio            Fund Complex
     ----             --------------            -------------------
         
        
     Donald R.
     Dwight              $3,865(2)                $135,000(4)

     Samuel L.

                                        B - 10
<PAGE>






     Hayes, III          3,815(3)                 150,000(5)

     Norton H.
     Reamer              3,796                    135,000

     John L.
     Thorndike           3,912                    140,000

     Jack L.
     Treynor             4,010                    140,000
         
        
     (1)     The Eaton Vance fund complex consists of  219 registered investment
             companies or series thereof.
     (2)     Includes $1,299 of deferred compensation.
     (3)     Includes $1,931 of deferred compensation.
     (4)     Includes $35,000 of deferred compensation.
     (5)     Includes $33,750 of deferred compensation.
         
        
             Trustees  of the  Portfolio  who are  not  affiliated with  BMR may
     elect to  defer receipt  of all  or a percentage  of their  annual fees  in
     accordance with the  terms of a  Trustees Deferred  Compensation Plan  (the
     "Plan").   Under  the Plan,  an  eligible Trustee  may  elect to  have  his
     deferred fees invested by the Portfolio in the shares  of one or more funds
     in  the Eaton Vance  Family of Funds,  and the amount paid  to the Trustees
     under the  Plan  will be  determined based  upon  the performance  of  such
     investments.  Deferral  of Trustees' fees in accordance  with the Plan will
     have a  negligible effect on  the Portfolio's assets,  liabilities, and net
     income  per  share, and  will  not obligate  the  Portfolio  to retain  the
     services of  any Trustee or  obligate the Portfolio  to pay any  particular
     level  of compensation  to the  Trustee.   The  Portfolio does  not have  a
     retirement plan for its Trustees.
         
             The  Portfolio's  Declaration  of  Trust  provides   that  it  will
     indemnify  its  Trustees  and officers  against  liabilities  and  expenses
     incurred in  connection  with litigation  in  which  they may  be  involved
     because of  their offices  with the Portfolio,  unless, as to  liability to
     the  Portfolio  or its  investors,  it  is  finally  adjudicated that  they
     engaged  in willful  misfeasance, bad  faith, gross  negligence or reckless
     disregard  of the duties involved in their  offices, or unless with respect
     to  any other matter  it is finally  adjudicated that  they did not  act in
     good faith in the  reasonable belief  that their actions  were in the  best
     interests   of   the  Portfolio.   In   the   case  of   settlement,   such
     indemnification will  not be provided  unless it  has been determined  by a
     court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or by  a
     reasonable determination, based upon a  review of readily available  facts,
     by vote of a majority of noninterested  Trustees or in a written opinion of
     independent counsel, that  such officers or  Trustees have  not engaged  in
     wilful misfeasance, bad  faith, gross  negligence or reckless  disregard of
     their duties.
        

                                        B - 11
<PAGE>






     ITEM 15.  CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDER OF SECURITIES
             As of  April  1,  1996,  EV  Traditional  Total  Return  Fund  (the
     "Traditional  Fund")  and EV  Marathon  Total  Return Fund  (the  "Marathon
     Fund")  each  owned approximately  87.6%  and 11.3%,  respectively,  of the
     value  of   the  outstanding  interests  in   the  Portfolio.  Because  the
     Traditional  Fund controls  the Portfolio,  the  Traditional Fund  may take
     actions  without  the  approval  of  any  other  investor.    Each  of  the
     Traditional Fund  and the  Marathon Fund  has informed  the Portfolio  that
     whenever it is requested  to vote on matters pertaining to  the fundamental
     policies of the Portfolio, it will hold a meeting of shareholders and  will
     cast its vote  as instructed  by its shareholders.  It is anticipated  that
     any other  investor  in  the  Portfolio  which  is  an  investment  company
     registered under the 1940 Act would follow the same or a similar  practice.
     The  Traditional Fund  and  the Marathon  Fund  are series  of  Eaton Vance
     Special  Investment  Trust,  an  open-end   management  investment  company
     organized  as  a  business trust  under  the  laws of  the  Commonwealth of
     Massachusetts.
         
        
     ITEM 16.  INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
             Investment Adviser.   The Portfolio  engages BMR as its  investment
     adviser  pursuant  to an  Investment Advisory  Agreement dated  October 28,
     1993.   BMR  or  Eaton  Vance  acts  as investment  adviser  to  investment
     companies and  various individual and  institutional clients with  combined
     assets under management of over $16 billion.
         
        
             BMR manages the investments  and affairs  of the Portfolio  subject
     to the supervision of the  Portfolio's Board of Trustees. BMR  furnishes to
     the Portfolio  investment research,  advice and  supervision, furnishes  an
     investment program, and will  determine what securities will be  purchased,
     held or sold by the  Portfolio and what portion, if any, of the Portfolio's
     assets will  be held uninvested. The Investment Advisory Agreement requires
     BMR to  pay the  salaries and  fees  of all  officers and  Trustees of  the
     Portfolio who are members of the BMR organization  and all personnel of BMR
     performing services  relating to  research and  investment activities.  The
     Portfolio is  responsible  for all  expenses  not  expressly stated  to  be
     payable by BMR  under the Investment Advisory Agreement, including, without
     implied  limitation,  (i)   expenses  of  maintaining  the   Portfolio  and
     continuing  its  existence, (ii)  registration of  the Portfolio  under the
     1940 Act, (iii)  commissions, fees and  other expenses  connected with  the
     acquisition, holding and  disposition of securities and  other investments,
     (iv) auditing, accounting  and legal expenses, (v) taxes and interest, (vi)
     governmental  fees,  (vii)  expenses  of  issue,  sale  and  redemption  of
     interests  in the Portfolio, (viii)  expenses of registering and qualifying
     the Portfolio  and  interests in  the  Portfolio  under federal  and  state
     securities laws  and of preparing and  printing registration  statements or
     other  offering  statements   or  memoranda  for  such  purposes   and  for
     distributing the  same to investors,  and fees and  expenses of registering
     and  maintaining registrations  of  the Portfolio  and  of the  Portfolio's
     placement  agent as  broker-dealer or  agent  under state  securities laws,
     (ix) expenses  of  reports and  notices  to investors  and  of meetings  of

                                        B - 12
<PAGE>






     investors and  proxy solicitations  therefor,  (x) expenses  of reports  to
     governmental  officers  and  commissions,  (xi)  insurance expenses,  (xii)
     association membership  dues, (xiii)  fees, expenses  and disbursements  of
     custodians and subcustodians for  all services to the Portfolio  (including
     without   limitation   safekeeping   for  funds,   securities   and   other
     investments, keeping of books,  accounts and records, and  determination of
     net asset values,  book capital account  balances and  tax capital  account
     balances),  (xiv) fees,  expenses  and  disbursements of  transfer  agents,
     dividend disbursing  agents, investor servicing  agents and registrars  for
     all services to the Portfolio, (xv) expenses for  servicing the accounts of
     investors, (xvi) any direct charges  to investors approved by  the Trustees
     of  the Portfolio,  (xvii)  compensation and  expenses  of Trustees  of the
     Portfolio  who are not  members of the  BMR organization,  and (xviii) such
     non-recurring  items   as  may  arise,   including  expenses  incurred   in
     connection  with litigation, proceedings and  claims and  the obligation of
     the Portfolio  to  indemnify  its Trustees,  officers  and  investors  with
     respect thereto.
         
        
             For a description of the  compensation that the Portfolio  pays BMR
     under the Investment Advisory Agreement, see  "Management of the Portfolio"
     in Part  A.   As at  December 31,  1995, the  Portfolio had  net assets  of
     $521,670,325.  For the  fiscal year ended December 31,  1995, the Portfolio
     paid  BMR  advisory   fees  of  $3,772,142  (equivalent  to  0.75%  of  the
     Portfolio's average daily  net assets for such year).   For the fiscal year
     ended December  31, 1994, and  for the period  from the start of  business,
     October 28,  1993, to  December 31, 1993,  the Portfolio paid  BMR advisory
     fees of  $4,106,857 and  $841,228,  respectively (equivalent  to 0.74%  and
     0.74%  (annualized), respectively,   of the  Portfolio's average  daily net
     assets for such periods).
          
        
             The Investment  Advisory Agreement with BMR remains in effect until
     February 28, 1997. It  may be continued indefinitely thereafter  so long as
     such  continuance is  approved  at least  annually  (i) by  the  vote of  a
     majority of the Trustees  of the Portfolio who  are not interested  persons
     of the Portfolio or of the  Investment Adviser cast in person at  a meeting
     specifically called for the purpose of voting on  such approval and (ii) by
     the  Board of Trustees  of the  Portfolio or by  vote of a  majority of the
     outstanding  voting  securities  of the  Portfolio.  The  Agreement may  be
     terminated  at any time without penalty on  sixty (60) days' written notice
     by the Board  of Trustees, or  by vote of  the majority of the  outstanding
     voting securities  of  the  Portfolio, and  the  Agreement  will  terminate
     automatically in the event of  its assignment. The Agreement  provides that
     BMR may render  services to others.   The Agreement also provides  that BMR
     shall  not  be  liable  for  any  loss  incurred  in  connection  with  the
     performance  of  its   duties,  or  action  taken  or  omitted  under  that
     Agreement,  in  the  absence  of  willful  misfeasance,  bad  faith,  gross
     negligence in the  performance of its duties  or by reason of  its reckless
     disregard  of its  obligations  and duties  thereunder,  or for  any losses
     sustained in the  acquisition, holding or  disposition of  any security  or
     other investment.

                                        B - 13
<PAGE>






         
        
             BMR is  a wholly-owned subsidiary of  Eaton Vance.  Eaton Vance and
     EV are both wholly-owned subsidiaries of EVC. BMR and Eaton Vance are  both
     Massachusetts business  trusts,  and EV  is the  trustee of  BMR and  Eaton
     Vance.  The Directors  of EV are  Landon T. Clay,  H. Day  Brigham, Jr., M.
     Dozier  Gardner,  James  B.  Hawkes,  and  Benjamin  A.  Rowland,  Jr.  The
     Directors of  EVC consist of the same persons and John G.L. Cabot and Ralph
     Z. Sorenson. Mr.  Clay is chairman and  Mr. Gardner is president  and chief
     executive officer  of EVC, BMR, Eaton  Vance and EV. All  of the issued and
     outstanding  shares of  Eaton Vance and  EV are  owned by  EVC. All  of the
     issued and outstanding shares of BMR are  owned by Eaton Vance. All  shares
     of the outstanding Voting  Common Stock  of EVC are  deposited in a  Voting
     Trust, which expires  on December 31,  1996, the Voting  Trustees of  which
     are  Messrs.  Clay,  Brigham,  Gardner,  Hawkes  and  Rowland.  The  Voting
     Trustees have unrestricted voting rights  for the election of  Directors of
     EVC. All of the outstanding voting trust receipts issued under said  Voting
     Trust are  owned by certain of the officers  of BMR and Eaton Vance who are
     also officers and  Directors of EVC and EV.  As of March 31,  1996, Messrs.
     Clay, Gardner and Hawkes each owned 24% of  such voting trust receipts, and
     Messrs. Rowland  and  Brigham owned  15%  and  13%, respectively,  of  such
     voting trust receipts.  Messrs. Gardner, Hawkes  and Otis  are officers  or
     Trustees of the Portfolio and are members of the EVC, BMR, Eaton  Vance and
     EV  organizations. Messrs. Murphy, O'Brien,  O'Connor and  Woodbury and Ms.
     Sanders are officers of  the Portfolio  and are members  of the BMR,  Eaton
     Vance  and EV  organizations. BMR  will  receive the  fees  paid under  the
     Investment Advisory Agreement.
         
        
             EVC  owns all of the stock of  Energex Energy Corporation, which is
     engaged in  oil and gas  exploration and development.   In addition,  Eaton
     Vance  owns  all of  the  stock  of Northeast  Properties,  Inc., which  is
     engaged in real estate  investment.  EVC owns  all of the stock of  Fulcrum
     Management,  Inc. and  MinVen  Inc., which  are  engaged in  precious metal
     mining venture investment and  management.  EVC also owns 24% of  the Class
     A  shares  of  Lloyd  George  Management  (B.V.I.)  Limited,  a  registered
     investment adviser.   EVC,  BMR, Eaton  Vance and  EV may  also enter  into
     other businesses.
         
             EVC and its affiliates and  their officers and employees  from time
     to time  have transactions with  various banks, including  the custodian of
     the Portfolio, Investors Bank & Trust Company.  It is Eaton Vance's opinion
     that the terms  and conditions of such  transactions were not and  will not
     be influenced  by existing  or potential  custodial or other  relationships
     between the Portfolio and such banks.
        
             Custodian.    Investors  Bank &  Trust  Company  ("IBT"),  89 South
     Street, Boston,  Massachusetts, acts  as custodian  for the Portfolio.  IBT
     has the  custody  of all  the  Portfolio's  assets, maintains  the  general
     ledger of  the  Portfolio,  and  computes  the daily  net  asset  value  of
     interests in  the Portfolio.  In such  capacity  it attends  to details  in
     connection with  the sale, exchange,  substitution or transfer  of or other

                                        B - 14
<PAGE>






     dealings  with the  Portfolio's  investments,  receives and  disburses  all
     funds,  and  performs  various other  ministerial  duties  upon  receipt of
     proper  instructions  from  the  Portfolio.  IBT  charges  fees  which  are
     competitive within the industry.  A portion of the fee relates  to custody,
     bookkeeping and  valuation  services and  is  based  upon a  percentage  of
     Portfolio net  assets,  and  a  portion  of the  fee  relates  to  activity
     charges, primarily  the number of  portfolio transactions.   These fees are
     then  reduced by  a  credit  for cash  balances  of  the Portfolio  at  the
     custodian  equal to  75% of  the 91-day,  U.S. Treasury  Bill auction  rate
     applied to the Portfolio's average  daily collected balances for  the week.
     Landon T.  Clay, a Director of EVC and  an officer, Trustee or Director  of
     other entities in the Eaton  Vance organization, owns approximately  13% of
     the  voting  stock  of  Investors Financial  Services  Corp.,  the  holding
     company parent of IBT.   Management believes that  such ownership does  not
     create  an affiliated  person relationship  between  the Portfolio  and IBT
     under the 1940 Act.  
         
             Independent  Accountants.    Coopers &  Lybrand  L.L.P.,  One  Post
     Office Square,  Boston, Massachusetts, are  the independent accountants  of
     the  Portfolio,  providing  audit services,  tax  return  preparation,  and
     assistance  and consultation  with respect  to the  preparation of  filings
     with the Commission.

     ITEM 17.  BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
             Decisions  concerning   the   execution   of   portfolio   security
     transactions,  including the  selection  of the  market  and the  executing
     firm, are  made  by BMR.  BMR  is also  responsible  for the  execution  of
     transactions for all other accounts managed by it.

             BMR places  the portfolio  security transactions  of the  Portfolio
     and  of  all  other  accounts  managed  by   it  for  execution  with  many
     broker-dealer  firms. BMR  uses  its best  efforts  to obtain  execution of
     portfolio security  transactions at prices  which are  advantageous to  the
     Portfolio and (when  a disclosed commission is being charged) at reasonably
     competitive commission rates. In seeking  such execution, BMR will  use its
     best  judgment in  evaluating the  terms of  a transaction,  and  will give
     consideration  to various  relevant  factors, including  without limitation
     the  size  and  type  of   the  transaction,  the  general   execution  and
     operational capabilities  of the  executing broker-dealer,  the nature  and
     character of  the market for  the security, the  confidentiality, speed and
     certainty  of  effective  execution  required  for   the  transaction,  the
     reputation, reliability, experience and financial condition  of the broker-
     dealer,  the  value   and  quality  of   the  services   rendered  by   the
     broker-dealer  in  other  transactions,  and  the   reasonableness  of  the
     commission, if  any.  Transactions on  United  States stock  exchanges  and
     other   agency  transactions  involve  the  payment  by  the  Portfolio  of
     negotiated  brokerage  commissions. Such  commissions vary  among different
     broker-dealer firms,  and a particular  broker-dealer may charge  different
     commissions according  to such  factors as the  difficulty and size  of the
     transaction and  the  volume  of  business done  with  such  broker-dealer.
     Transactions in  foreign securities usually  involve the  payment of  fixed
     brokerage commissions, which  are generally higher than those in the United

                                        B - 15
<PAGE>






     States. There is generally  no stated commission in the  case of securities
     traded in the over-the-counter markets, but  the price paid or received  by
     the Portfolio  usually includes an  undisclosed dealer markup or  markdown.
     In an  underwritten offering  the price  paid by the  Portfolio includes  a
     disclosed  fixed commission  or  discount retained  by  the underwriter  or
     dealer. Although  commissions on portfolio  security transactions will,  in
     the  judgment of  BMR,  be  reasonable in  relation  to  the value  of  the
     services provided,  commissions exceeding  those which  another firm  might
     charge  may  be  paid  to  broker-dealers  who  were  selected  to  execute
     transactions  on  behalf of  the  Portfolio  and  BMR's  other clients  for
     providing brokerage and research services to BMR.
        
             As authorized  in Section 28(e) of  the Securities  Exchange Act of
     1934, a broker or dealer who executes a  portfolio transaction on behalf of
     the Portfolio may receive a commission which is in excess of  the amount of
     commission another broker or dealer  would have charged for  effecting that
     transaction if  BMR  determines in  good  faith  that such  commission  was
     reasonable in  relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
     provided. This  determination  may be  made  either on  the  basis of  that
     particular transaction  or on the basis  of overall  responsibilities which
     BMR  and  its  affiliates  have  for  accounts  over  which  they  exercise
     investment  discretion.  In making  any  such determination,  BMR  will not
     attempt to place  a specific  dollar value  on the  brokerage and  research
     services provided or  to determine what portion of the commission should be
     related  to  such services.  Brokerage  and research  services  may include
     advice as  to the value  of securities, the  advisability of investing  in,
     purchasing, or  selling securities,  and the availability  of securities or
     purchasers  or  sellers  of securities;  furnishing  analyses  and  reports
     concerning issuers,  industries, securities,  economic factors and  trends,
     portfolio strategy  and the performance  of accounts; effecting  securities
     transactions  and   performing  functions   incidental  thereto  (such   as
     clearance and settlement); and the  "Research Services" referred to  in the
     next paragraph.
         
             It is a  common practice of  the investment  advisory industry  for
     the  advisers of investment companies,  institutions and other investors to
     receive  research, statistical  and  quotation services,  data, information
     and other  services, products and  materials which assist  such advisers in
     the performance  of their investment responsibilities ("Research Services")
     from  broker-dealer firms  which  execute  portfolio transactions  for  the
     clients  of  such  advisers  and   from  third  parties  with   which  such
     broker-dealers  have  arrangements.  Consistent  with  this  practice,  BMR
     receives Research  Services from  many broker-dealer firms  with which  BMR
     places  the Portfolio's  transactions  and from  third  parties with  which
     these  broker-dealers have  arrangements. These  Research Services  include
     such matters as general economic  and market reviews, industry  and company
     reviews,   evaluations   of  securities   and   portfolio  strategies   and
     transactions and recommendations  as to the purchase and sale of securities
     and   other   portfolio   transactions,  financial,   industry   and  trade
     publications,  news   and  information  services,  pricing   and  quotation
     equipment and services, and research oriented  computer hardware, software,
     data  bases and services. Any particular  Research Service obtained through

                                        B - 16
<PAGE>






     a  broker-dealer may  be used  by  BMR in  connection with  client accounts
     other than those  accounts which pay commissions to such broker-dealer. Any
     such  Research Service  may  be  broadly useful  and  of  value to  BMR  in
     rendering investment advisory services to  all or a significant  portion of
     its clients,  or may be relevant and useful  for the management of only one
     client's account or  of a few clients' accounts,  or may be useful  for the
     management of merely  a segment of certain clients' accounts, regardless of
     whether any such  account or accounts paid commissions to the broker-dealer
     through which such Research Service was obtained.  The advisory fee paid by
     the Portfolio is not reduced  because BMR receives such  Research Services.
     BMR  evaluates the  nature  and quality  of  the various  Research Services
     obtained through  broker-dealer firms and  attempts to allocate  sufficient
     commissions  to such  firms  to ensure  the  continued receipt  of Research
     Services which  BMR believes  are useful  or of  value to  it in  rendering
     investment advisory services to its clients.

             Subject to the  requirement that BMR shall use  its best efforts to
     seek and  execute portfolio  security transactions  at advantageous  prices
     and  at reasonably  competitive  commission  rates,  BMR is  authorized  to
     consider as a factor  in the selection of any broker-dealer firm  with whom
     portfolio  orders may be  placed the  fact that  such firm  has sold  or is
     selling securities of  other investment companies sponsored by BMR or Eaton
     Vance.  This policy  is  not  inconsistent  with  a rule  of  the  National
     Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,  which rule provides that  no firm
     which  is  a  member  of  the  Association  shall  favor  or  disfavor  the
     distribution of shares  of any particular  investment company  or group  of
     investment companies  on  the basis  of brokerage  commissions received  or
     expected by such firm from any source.
        
             Securities considered as investments for the  Portfolio may also be
     appropriate   for  other   investment  accounts  managed   by  BMR  or  its
     affiliates.  BMR will  attempt  to  allocate equitably  portfolio  security
     transactions  among  the  Portfolio   and  the  portfolios  of   its  other
     investment  accounts whenever  decisions  are  made  to  purchase  or  sell
     securities  by  the  Portfolio and  one  or  more  of  such other  accounts
     simultaneously.  In  making  such  allocations,  the  main  factors  to  be
     considered are the respective  investment objectives  of the Portfolio  and
     such  other accounts, the  relative size of portfolio  holdings of the same
     or comparable  securities, the availability  of cash for  investment by the
     Portfolio and such accounts,  the size of investment commitments  generally
     held by  the Portfolio and  such accounts and  the opinions of the  persons
     responsible  for  recommending  investments  to  the   Portfolio  and  such
     accounts.  While this  procedure  could have  a  detrimental effect  on the
     price or amount of  the securities available to the Portfolio from  time to
     time, it is the opinion  of the Trustees of the Portfolio that the benefits
     available from  the BMR  organization  outweigh any  disadvantage that  may
     arise from exposure  to simultaneous transactions.   For  the fiscal  years
     ended December 31,  1995 and  1994, and for  the period from  the start  of
     business, October  28,  1993, to  December  31,  1993, the  Portfolio  paid
     brokerage   commissions    of   $1,473,872,   $1,997,260   and    $382,786,
     respectively,  on   portfolio  security  transactions,   of  which  amounts
     approximately $912,537, $1,509,827 and $211,594, respectively,  was paid in

                                        B - 17
<PAGE>






     respect  of   portfolio  security  transactions  aggregating  approximately
     $493,598,587, $718,689,809  and $126,205,010, respectively,  to firms which
     provided some Research Services to  BMR or its affiliates (although many of
     such firms may have been  selected in any particular  transaction primarily
     because of their execution capabilities).
         
     ITEM 18.  CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES
             Under  the  Portfolio's  Declaration of  Trust,  the  Trustees  are
     authorized to issue interests in  the Portfolio. Investors are  entitled to
     participate pro rata  in distributions of  taxable income,  loss, gain  and
     credit of  the Portfolio. Upon  dissolution of the  Portfolio, the Trustees
     shall liquidate the assets  of the Portfolio  and apply and distribute  the
     proceeds thereof as follows:  (a) first,  to the payment  of all debts  and
     obligations  of   the  Portfolio  to   third  parties  including,   without
     limitation, the retirement  of outstanding debt, including any debt owed to
     holders of  record  of interests  in  the  Portfolio ("Holders")  or  their
     affiliates, and the expenses  of liquidation, and to the setting up  of any
     reserves for  contingencies which may be necessary; and (b) second, then in
     accordance with the  Holders' positive Book Capital  Account balances after
     adjusting  Book Capital  Accounts for certain  allocations provided  in the
     Declaration of Trust and in  accordance with the requirements  described in
     Treasury Regulations  Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b) (2). Notwithstanding the
     foregoing, if the Trustees  shall determine that an immediate  sale of part
     or  all of  the assets  of  the Portfolio  would  cause undue  loss to  the
     Holders,  the Trustees,  in order  to avoid  such loss,  may,  after having
     given notification  to all the Holders,  to the extent not  then prohibited
     by the law  of any jurisdiction  in which the  Portfolio is then  formed or
     qualified  and applicable in the circumstances, either defer liquidation of
     and  withhold from distribution  for a  reasonable time  any assets  of the
     Portfolio  except those  necessary  to satisfy  the  Portfolio's debts  and
     obligations  or  distribute  the  Portfolio's  assets  to  the  Holders  in
     liquidation. Interests  in the  Portfolio have  no preference,  preemptive,
     conversion or similar rights and  are fully paid and  nonassessable, except
     as set forth  below. Interests  in the  Portfolio may  not be  transferred.
     Certificates  representing an  investor's  interest  in the  Portfolio  are
     issued only upon the written request of a Holder.

             Each Holder is entitled to vote in proportion  to the amount of its
     interest in  the Portfolio. Holders  do not have  cumulative voting rights.
     The Portfolio is  not required and has no  current intention to hold annual
     meetings of Holders  but the Portfolio will  hold meetings of  Holders when
     in the  judgment of the Portfolio's  Trustees it is necessary  or desirable
     to submit matters to  a vote of Holders at a  meeting. Any action which may
     be taken by Holders may be taken without a meeting if Holders holding  more
     than  50% of  all interests  entitled  to vote  (or such  larger proportion
     thereof as  shall be required by  any express provision  of the Declaration
     of  Trust of  the  Portfolio) consent  to  the action  in  writing and  the
     consents are filed with the records of meetings of Holders.

             The Portfolio's  Declaration of  Trust may  be amended  by vote  of
     Holders of more than  50% of all interests in the Portfolio  at any meeting
     of  Holders or by an instrument in writing without a meeting, executed by a

                                        B - 18
<PAGE>






     majority  of the Trustees and consented to by  the Holders of more than 50%
     of all  interests. The Trustees  may also  amend the  Declaration of  Trust
     (without the vote or  consent of Holders) to change the Portfolio's name or
     the state or  other jurisdiction whose law  shall be the governing  law, to
     supply  any  omission  or  cure,  correct  or  supplement  any   ambiguous,
     defective  or inconsistent provision, to  conform the  Declaration of Trust
     to  applicable federal law  or regulations  or to  the requirements  of the
     Code,  or to change, modify or rescind  any provision provided such change,
     modification or  rescission is determined  by the Trustees  to be necessary
     or  appropriate  and  to  not  have a  materially  adverse  effect  on  the
     financial interests  of the  Holders. No  amendment of  the Declaration  of
     Trust which would change  any rights with respect to  any Holder's interest
     in the  Portfolio by reducing  the amount payable  thereon upon liquidation
     of the  Portfolio may  be made,  except with  the vote  or  consent of  the
     Holders of  two-thirds of all  interests. References in  the Declaration of
     Trust  and in  Part A  or  this Part  B to  a  specified percentage  of, or
     fraction of, interests  in the Portfolio, means Holders whose combined Book
     Capital Account  balances represent such  specified percentage or  fraction
     of the combined  Book Capital Account balance of  all, or a specified group
     of, Holders.

             The Portfolio may merge or consolidate with  any other corporation,
     association, trust  or other organization  or may  sell or exchange  all or
     substantially all  of its assets  upon such  terms and  conditions and  for
     such  consideration when and  as authorized  by the  Holders of (a)  67% or
     more  of the  interests in  the  Portfolio present  or  represented at  the
     meeting  of Holders,  if  Holders of  more than  50%  of all  interests are
     present or represented by  proxy, or  (b) more than  50% of all  interests,
     whichever is less. The Portfolio  may be terminated (i) by  the affirmative
     vote  of Holders  of not  less than  two- thirds  of all  interests at  any
     meeting  of Holders  or by  an  instrument in  writing  without a  meeting,
     executed by a majority of the Trustees  and consented to by Holders of  not
     less than two-thirds of all interests, or  (ii) by the Trustees by  written
     notice to the Holders.

        
             In accordance with the  Declaration of  Trust, there normally  will
     be no  meetings  of the  investors for  the  purpose of  electing  Trustees
     unless  and until such time as less than a majority of the Trustees holding
     office  have been elected by investors.  In  such an event, the Trustees of
     the Portfolio  then  in office  will  call an  investors'  meeting for  the
     election of Trustees.  Except  for the foregoing circumstances,  and unless
     removed  by action  of  the investors  in  accordance with  the Portfolio's
     Declaration of  Trust, the Trustees  shall continue to hold  office and may
     appoint successor Trustees.
         
        
             The Declaration of trust  provides that no person shall serve  as a
     Trustee if investors holding  two-thirds of the outstanding interests  have
     removed  him from that  office either  by a written  declaration filed with
     the  Portfolio's custodian or  by votes cast at  a meeting  called for that
     purpose.   The Declaration  of Trust  further provides  that under  certain

                                        B - 19
<PAGE>






     circumstances, the  investors may call  a meeting  to remove a  Trustee and
     that the Portfolio  is required to provide assistance in communicating with
     investors about such a meeting.
         
             The Portfolio is organized  as a trust under the laws of  the State
     of New York. Investors  in the Portfolio will be held personally liable for
     its obligations  and liabilities, subject,  however, to indemnification  by
     the  Portfolio in  the  event that  there  is imposed  upon  an investor  a
     greater portion  of the liabilities  and obligations of  the Portfolio than
     its  proportionate  interest in  the  Portfolio. The  Portfolio  intends to
     maintain  fidelity and  errors and omissions  insurance deemed  adequate by
     the Trustees. Therefore, the risk  of an investor incurring  financial loss
     on account of  investor liability is limited to circumstances in which both
     inadequate insurance exists and the  Portfolio itself is unable to meet its
     obligations.

             The Declaration of  Trust further provides that obligations  of the
     Portfolio are  not binding upon the Trustees individually but only upon the
     property of the Portfolio and  that the Trustees will not be liable for any
     action or failure to act, but nothing in  the Declaration of Trust protects
     a Trustee against any liability to which  he would otherwise be subject  by
     reason  of willful  misfeasance, bad  faith, gross  negligence, or reckless
     disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

     ITEM 19.  PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SECURITIES
             Interests in the  Portfolio are issued solely in  private placement
     transactions that do not involve  any "public offering" within  the meaning
     of Section 4(2)  of the Securities Act of  1933. See "Purchase of Interests
     in the Portfolio" and "Redemption or Decrease of Interest" in Part A.  
        
             Securities  listed on  foreign or  U.S. securities  exchanges or in
     the NASDAQ  National Market  System generally  are valued  at closing  sale
     prices or, if  there were no sales, at the mean between the closing bid and
     asked  prices  therefor   on  the  exchange  where   such  securities   are
     principally traded or on such National  Market System.  Unlisted or  listed
     securities for which closing  sale prices are not  available are valued  at
     the  mean  between  the  latest available  bid  and  asked  prices  on  the
     principal market where the security was traded. An  option is valued at the
     last sale price,  as quoted on the principal exchange  or board of trade on
     which  such option  is traded  or, in the  absence of  a sale,  at the mean
     between the last bid and asked prices.   Futures positions on securities or
     currencies are generally valued  at closing settlement prices.   Short-term
     debt securities with a remaining maturing of 60 days  or less are valued at
     amortized cost.   If securities were acquired  with a remaining maturity of
     more than 60 days, their  amortized cost value will be based on their value
     on  the sixty-first day  prior to  maturity.   Other fixed income  and debt
     securities,  including listed  securities and  securities  for which  price
     quotations  are  available,  will  normally  be  valued  on  the  basis  of
     valuations furnished by  a pricing service.   Securities  for which  market
     quotations  are unavailable,  including  any  security the  disposition  of
     which  is restricted under  the Securities  Act of  1933, and  other assets
     will be appraised at their fair value as determined  in good faith by or at

                                        B - 20
<PAGE>






     the direction of the Trustees of the Portfolio.  
         
        
             Generally,  trading  in   the  foreign  securities  owned   by  the
     Portfolio is substantially  completed each day  at various  times prior  to
     the close of the New York Stock  Exchange (the "Exchange").  The values  of
     these  securities  used  in  determining   the  net  asset  value   of  the
     Portfolio's interests are  computed as of such times.  Occasionally, events
     affecting the value of foreign securities may  occur between such times and
     the close of  the Exchange which will  not be reflected in  the computation
     of the  Portfolio's net asset  value (unless the Portfolio  deems that such
     events would  materially  affect its  net  asset value,  in which  case  an
     adjustment  would be  made  and reflected  in  such computation).   Foreign
     securities  and currency  held  by the  Portfolio  will be  valued  in U.S.
     dollars; such  values will be  computed by the  custodian based on  foreign
     currency exchange rate quotations.
         
     ITEM 20.  TAX STATUS
             The Portfolio  has been advised by  tax counsel  that, provided the
     Portfolio is operated at all times during  its existence in accordance with
     certain organizational and  operational documents, the Portfolio  should be
     classified as a  partnership under  the Internal Revenue  Code of 1986,  as
     amended  (the "Code"), and it should not be a "publicly traded partnership"
     within  the  meaning  of  Section  7704  of  the  Code.  Consequently,  the
     Portfolio does  not expect  that it  will be  required to  pay any  federal
     income tax.

             Under Subchapter K  of the Code, a partnership  is considered to be
     either an aggregate of its members or a  separate entity depending upon the
     factual  and  legal  context  in  which  the  question  arises.  Under  the
     aggregate approach,  each partner is  treated as an  owner of an  undivided
     interest in  partnership assets and operations.  Under the entity approach,
     the partnership is treated as a separate  entity in which partners have  no
     direct interest  in partnership  assets and operations.  The Portfolio  has
     been  advised by tax  counsel that, in the  case of a Holder  that seeks to
     qualify as a  regulated investment company  (a "RIC") under  the Code,  the
     aggregate approach should apply,  and each  such Holder should  accordingly
     be  deemed to  own a  proportionate  share of  each of  the  assets of  the
     Portfolio  and  to  be  entitled  to  the  gross  income of  the  Portfolio
     attributable to that  share for purposes  of all  requirements of  Sections
     851(b)  and 852(b)(5) of the Code. Further,  the Portfolio has been advised
     by  tax counsel that each  Holder that seeks to qualify  as a RIC should be
     deemed to hold  its proportionate share of  the Portfolio's assets for  the
     period the  Portfolio has held the assets or  for the period the Holder has
     been an investor in the  Portfolio, whichever is shorter.  Investors should
     consult their  tax advisors regarding  whether the entity  or the aggregate
     approach applies to  their investment in  the Portfolio in  light of  their
     particular tax status and any special tax rules applicable to them.

             In order to  enable a Holder that is  otherwise eligible to qualify
     as a RIC, the Portfolio  intends to satisfy the requirements  of Subchapter
     M of the  Code relating to sources of  income and diversification of assets

                                        B - 21
<PAGE>






     as  if they were  applicable to  the Portfolio  and to allocate  and permit
     withdrawals in a manner that  will enable a Holder which is a RIC to comply
     with those requirements. The Portfolio  will allocate at least  annually to
     each  Holder  its  distributive share  of  the  Portfolio's net  investment
     income,  net realized capital  gains, and any other  items of income, gain,
     loss, deduction or credit in  a manner intended to comply with the Code and
     applicable  Treasury regulations.  Tax counsel  has  advised the  Portfolio
     that the Portfolio's  allocations of taxable  income and  loss should  have
     "economic effect" under applicable Treasury regulations.

             To the  extent  the cash  proceeds  of  any withdrawal  (or,  under
     certain  circumstances, such  proceeds  plus the  value  of any  marketable
     securities  distributed  to  an  investor)  ("liquid  proceeds")  exceed  a
     Holder's adjusted  basis of his interest in the  Portfolio, the Holder will
     generally  realize a  gain for  federal  income tax  purposes.  If, upon  a
     complete  withdrawal (redemption  of  the  entire interest),  the  Holder's
     adjusted basis  of  his  interest  exceeds  the  liquid  proceeds  of  such
     withdrawal, the Holder  will generally realize  a loss  for federal  income
     tax purposes.   The tax consequences of  a withdrawal of  property (instead
     of or in addition to liquid proceeds) will be different  and will depend on
     the specific  factual  circumstances.   A  Holder's  adjusted basis  of  an
     interest  in the  Portfolio  will generally  be  the aggregate  prices paid
     therefor  (including the  adjusted  basis of  contributed property  and any
     gain recognized  on such  contribution), increased  by the  amounts of  the
     Holder's  distributive share of items of  income (including interest income
     exempt from  federal income tax)  and realized net  gain of the  Portfolio,
     and reduced,  but  not below  zero,  by (i)  the  amounts of  the  Holder's
     distributive share of  items of Portfolio loss, and  (ii) the amount of any
     cash distributions (including distributions of interest  income exempt from
     federal  income  tax  and  cash  distributions   on  withdrawals  from  the
     Portfolio) and the basis  to the  Holder of any  property received by  such
     Holder  other than  in  liquidation, and  (iii)  the Holder's  distributive
     share   of   the  Portfolio's   nondeductible  expenditures   not  properly
     chargeable  to capital account.  Increases or decreases in a Holder's share
     of the Portfolio's  liabilities may also result in  corresponding increases
     or decreases  in such adjusted basis.  Distributions  of liquid proceeds in
     excess  of a  Holder's adjusted  basis  in its  interest  in the  Portfolio
     immediately prior thereto  generally will result in the recognition of gain
     to the Holder in the amount of such excess.
        
             Investments  in  lower-rated  or  unrated  securities  may  present
     special tax  issues for  the Portfolio  and hence  for an  investor to  the
     extent actual or  anticipated defaults may be  more likely with respect  to
     such securities.   Tax rules  are not entirely  clear about issues such  as
     when the Portfolio may cease  to accrue interest, original  issue discount,
     or market discount; when  and to  what extent deductions  may be taken  for
     bad debts or  worthless securities; how payments received on obligations in
     default  should be  allocated  between principal  and  income; and  whether
     exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable.
         
        
             The  Portfolio's transactions  in options,  futures contracts,  and

                                        B - 22
<PAGE>






     forward contracts will be subject to special tax rules that may affect  the
     amount, timing  and character  of its  items of  income, gain  or loss  and
     hence the  allocations of  such items  to investors.  For example,  certain
     positions held by  the Portfolio on the  last business day of  each taxable
     year will  be marked  to market  (i.e., treated  as if  closed out  on such
     day), and any resulting gain or loss  will be treated as 60% long-term  and
     40% short-term  capital  gain  or  loss.  Certain  positions  held  by  the
     Portfolio that  substantially diminish  the Portfolio's  risk of loss  with
     respect to  other positions  in its  portfolio may  constitute "straddles,"
     which  are  subject to  tax  rules  that may  cause  deferral of  Portfolio
     losses, adjustments  in the  holding period  of  Portfolio securities,  and
     conversion of short-term  into long-term capital losses.  The Portfolio may
     make certain elections  to mitigate adverse consequences of these tax rules
     and may have  to limit its  activities in options,  futures contracts,  and
     forward contracts in order to enable an investor that is a  RIC to maintain
     its qualification as a RIC.
         
             Income from transactions  in options and futures  contracts derived
     by the Portfolio  with respect to its  business of investing  in securities
     will qualify as permissible income for its Holders  that are RICs under the
     requirement  that at least  90% of a RIC's  gross income  each taxable year
     consist  of specified  types of  income.   However, income  from the dispo-
     sition by the  Portfolio of  options and  futures contracts  held for  less
     than three  months will be subject  to the requirement  applicable to those
     Holders that  less than  30%  of a  RIC's gross  income each  taxable  year
     consist of certain short-term gains ("Short-Short Limitation").

             If the  Portfolio satisfies certain  requirements, any increase  in
     value  of a position that is part of a "designated hedge" will be offset by
     any  decrease in value (whether realized or  not) of the offsetting hedging
     position  during  the period  of  the  hedge  for  purposes of  determining
     whether  the Holders  that  are RICs  satisfy  the Short-Short  Limitation.
     Thus,  only the  net  gain  (if any)  from  the  designated hedge  will  be
     included in gross income  for purposes of  that limitation.  The  Portfolio
     will consider whether it should seek to qualify  for this treatment for its
     hedging transactions.  To  the extent the Portfolio does not so qualify, it
     may be forced to  defer the  closing out of  options and futures  contracts
     beyond the time when it otherwise would be advantageous  to do so, in order
     for Holders that are RICs to continue to qualify as such.
        
             The Portfolio  may  be  subject  to foreign  withholding  or  other
     foreign taxes  with respect to  income (possibly including,  in some cases,
     capital gains)  on certain foreign  securities. These taxes  may be reduced
     or eliminated under the terms of an applicable  U.S. income tax treaty. The
     anticipated  extent of the Portfolio's  investment in foreign securities is
     such that  it is  not  expected that  an investor  that is  a RIC  will  be
     eligible to  pass  through  to  shareholders  foreign  taxes  paid  by  the
     Portfolio and  allocated to a RIC, so that shareholders  of such a RIC will
     not be entitled  to take any foreign tax  credits or deductions for foreign
     taxes paid  by the  Portfolio  and allocated  to the  RIC. Certain  foreign
     exchange gains and  losses realized by  the Portfolio  and allocated to  an
     investor will  be treated as  ordinary income and  losses. Certain  uses of

                                        B - 23
<PAGE>






     foreign  currency and related  options, futures  or forward  contracts, and
     investment by  the  Portfolio in  the  stock  of certain  "passive  foreign
     investment companies" may  be limited  or a tax  election may  be made,  if
     available, in order  to enable any investor  that is a RIC to  maintain its
     qualification as a RIC or avoid imposition of a tax on such an investor.
         
             An entity that is treated as a partnership under the Code, such  as
     the Portfolio, is generally  treated as a partnership under state and local
     tax laws,  but  certain states  may  have different  entity  classification
     criteria and may  therefore reach a different conclusion. Entities that are
     classified  as partnerships  are not treated  as separate  taxable entities
     under most  state and local tax  laws, and the  income of a  partnership is
     considered to be  income of partners both  in timing and in  character. The
     laws of  the various states and local taxing  authorities vary with respect
     to  the status of  a partnership interest under  state and  local tax laws,
     and each holder of an  interest in the Portfolio is advised  to consult his
     own tax adviser.

             The  foregoing discussion does  not address  the special  tax rules
     applicable to  certain classes of investors,  such as  tax-exempt entities,
     insurance companies  and financial  institutions. Investors  should consult
     their own tax advisers with respect to  special tax rules that may apply in
     their particular  situations, as well  as the  state, local or  foreign tax
     consequences of investing in the Portfolio.

     ITEM 21.  UNDERWRITERS
             The placement agent for the Portfolio is Eaton  Vance Distributors,
     Inc.,  which  receives  no  compensation  for  serving  in  this  capacity.
     Investment  companies,  common  and commingled  trust  funds,  and  similar
     organizations and entities may continuously invest in the Portfolio.

     ITEM 22.  CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA
             Not applicable.
        
     ITEM 23.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
             The following  audited financial  statements of  the Portfolio  for
     the fiscal  year ended December 31,  1995 are incorporated by  reference in
     this Part B  and have been so  incorporated in reliance upon the  report of
     Coopers  &   Lybrand  L.L.P.,  independent   accountants,  as  experts   in
     accounting and auditing.
         
        
             Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 1995
             Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1995
             Statement of  Operations  for the  fiscal year  ended December  31,
             1995
             Statement of  Changes  in Net  Assets  for  the fiscal  year  ended
             December 31, 1995, and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994
             Supplementary  Data for  the fiscal  year ended  December 31, 1995,
             for  the fiscal year  ended December  31, 1994, and  for the period
             from the start of business, October 28, 1993, to December 31, 1993
             Notes to Financial Statements

                                        B - 24
<PAGE>






             Report of Independent Accountants
         
        
             For  purposes  of  the  EDGAR  filing  of  this  amendment  to  the
     Portfolio's   registration  statement,   the   Portfolio  incorporates   by
     reference  the above  audited  financial  statements, as  previously  filed
     electronically  with  the  Commission   (Accession  Number   0000950156-96-
     000194).
              












































                                        B - 25
<PAGE>






                                       PART C
        
     ITEM 24.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
        (A)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
         The financial  statements called for  by this Item  are incorporated by
     reference in Part B and listed in Item 23 hereof.
         
        
        (B)  EXHIBITS
             1.      Declaration of Trust dated May 1, 1992, filed herewith.
         
        
             2.      By-Laws  of  the  Registrant adopted  May  1,  1992,  filed
                     herewith.
         
        
             5.      Investment Advisory  Agreement between  the Registrant  and
                     Boston  Management and  Research  dated  October 28,  1993,
                     filed herewith.
         
        
             6.      Placement Agent  Agreement with  Eaton Vance  Distributors,
                     Inc. dated October 28, 1993, filed herewith.
         
        
             7.      The  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  has granted  the
                     Registrant  an exemptive order that  permits the Registrant
                     to enter  into deferred compensation  arrangements with its
                     independent  Trustees.    See  In  the  Matter  of  Capital
                     Exchange Fund,  Inc.,  Release  No. IC-20671  (November  1,
                     1994).
         
        
             8(a).   Custodian  Agreement with  Investors Bank  &  Trust Company
                     dated October 28, 1993, filed herewith.
         
        
             8(b).   Amendment to  Custodian Agreement  dated October 23,  1995,
                     filed herewith.
         
        
             13.     Investment  representation  letter  of  Eaton  Vance  Total
                     Return  Trust (on  behalf of  EV  Traditional Total  Return
                     Fund) dated September 27, 1993, filed herewith.
         

     ITEM 25.  PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
               Not applicable.

     ITEM 26.  NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

                  (1)                      (2)

                                        C - 1
<PAGE>






                                        NUMBER OF
             TITLE OF CLASS           RECORD HOLDERS
				    AS OF APRIL 1, 1996     
             --------------         -------------------
     
        
             Interests                      5
         
        
     ITEM 27.  INDEMNIFICATION
             Reference   is  hereby  made  to  Article  V  of  the  Registrant's
     Declaration of Trust, filed as Exhibit 1 herewith.
         
             The Trustees  and officers of the  Registrant and  the personnel of
     the  Registrant's  investment  adviser  are  insured  under an  errors  and
     omissions liability insurance policy.  The Registrant and its  officers are
     also  insured under the  fidelity bond  required   by Rule 17g-1  under the
     Investment Company Act of 1940.

     ITEM 28.  BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS
             To the  knowledge  of  the  Portfolio,  none  of  the  trustees  or
     officers of the Portfolio's investment adviser, except as  set forth on its
     Form ADV  as filed with the Securities  and Exchange Commission, is engaged
     in any other  business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial
     nature,  except  that  certain  trustees  and  officers  also  hold various
     positions with  and engage  in business  for affiliates  of the  investment
     adviser.

     ITEM 29.  PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
             Not applicable.
        
     ITEM 30.  LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
             All  applicable  accounts,  books  and  documents  required  to  be
     maintained by the  Registrant by Section  31(a) of  the Investment  Company
     Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated thereunder are in the possession  and
     custody of the Registrant's custodian,  Investors Bank & Trust  Company, 89
     South Street, Boston,  MA 02111, with  the exception  of certain  corporate
     documents and portfolio  trading documents, which are in the possession and
     custody  of  the  Registrant's investment  adviser  at  24  Federal Street,
     Boston, MA 02110.  The Registrant is informed that all applicable accounts,
     books  and  documents required  to be  maintained by  registered investment
     advisers are in the custody  and possession of the  Registrant's investment
     adviser.
         
     ITEM 31.  MANAGEMENT SERVICES
             Not applicable.

     ITEM 32.  UNDERTAKINGS
             Not applicable.





                                        C - 2
<PAGE>






                                     SIGNATURES

        
             Pursuant  to  the requirements  of  the Investment  Company Act  of
     1940,  the  Registrant  has  duly  caused  this  Amendment  No.  3  to  the
     Registration Statement  on Form  N-1A to  be signed  on its  behalf by  the
     undersigned,  thereunto  duly  authorized,   in  the  City  of  Boston  and
     Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on this 24th day of April, 1996.
         

                                      TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO

                                      By /s/ M. Dozier Gardner
                                         ---------------------
                                      M. Dozier Gardner
                                      President





































                                        C - 3
<PAGE>






                                  INDEX TO EXHIBITS
      

     EXHIBIT NO.     DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
                      

        
             1.      Declaration of Trust dated May 1, 1992.
         
        
             2.      By-Laws of the Registrant adopted May 1, 1992.
         
        
             5.      Investment Advisory  Agreement between  the Registrant  and
                     Boston Management and Research dated October 28, 1993.
         
        
             6.      Placement Agent  Agreement with  Eaton Vance  Distributors,
                     Inc. dated October 28, 1993.
         
        
             8(a).   Custodian  Agreement with  Investors Bank  & Trust  Company
                     dated October 28, 1993.
         
        
             8(b).   Amendment to Custodian Agreement dated October 23, 1995.
         
        
             13.     Investment  representation  letter  of  Eaton  Vance  Total
                     Return  Trust (on  behalf of  EV  Traditional Total  Return
                     Fund) dated September 27, 1993.
         





















                                        C - 4
<PAGE>

















                                TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO

                               ---------------------- 

                                DECLARATION OF TRUST

                               Dated as of May 1, 1992
<PAGE>






                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                         PAGE

     ARTICLE I--The Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1

         Section 1.1   Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1
         Section 1.2   Definitions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1 

     ARTICLE II--Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3

         Section 2.1   Number and Qualification . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
         Section 2.2   Term and Election  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
         Section 2.3   Resignation, Removal and Retirement  . . . . . . .  3
         Section 2.4   Vacancies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
         Section 2.5   Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
         Section 2.6   Officers; Chairman of the Board  . . . . . . . . .  5
         Section 2.7   By-Laws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5

     ARTICLE III--Powers of Trustees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5

         Section 3.1   General  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
         Section 3.2   Investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
         Section 3.3   Legal Title  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
         Section 3.4   Sale and Increases of Interests  . . . . . . . . .  7
         Section 3.5   Decreases and Redemptions of Interests . . . . . .  7
         Section 3.6   Borrow Money   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
         Section 3.7   Delegation; Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
         Section 3.8   Collection and Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
         Section 3.9   Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
         Section 3.10  Miscellaneous Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
         Section 3.11  Further Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8

     ARTICLE IV--Investment Advisory, Administration and Placement Agent
                          Arrangements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8

         Section 4.1   Investment Advisory, Administration and Other
                         Arrangements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
         Section 4.2   Parties to Contract  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9

     ARTICLE V--Liability of Holders; Limitations of Liability of
                        Trustees, Officers, etc.  . . . . . . . . . . . .  9

         Section 5.1   Liability of Holders; Indemnification. . . . . . .  9
         Section 5.2   Limitations of Liability of Trustees, Officers,
                         Employees, Agents, Independent Contractors
                         to Third Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
         Section 5.3   Limitations of Liability of Trustees, Officers,
                         Employees, Agents, Independent Contractors
                         to Trust, Holders, etc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
         Section 5.4   Mandatory Indemnification  . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
         Section 5.5   No Bond Required of Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . 11

                                          i
<PAGE>







         Section 5.6   No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust 
                         Instruments, etc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
         Section 5.7   Reliance on Experts, etc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

     ARTICLE VI--Interests  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

         Section 6.1   Interests  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
         Section 6.2   Non-Transferability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
         Section 6.3   Register of Interests  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

     ARTICLE VII--Increases, Decreases And Redemptions of Interests . . . 12

     ARTICLE VIII--Determination of Book Capital Account Balances,
                           and Distributions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

         Section 8.1   Book Capital Account Balances  . . . . . . . . . . 13
         Section 8.2   Allocations and Distributions to Holders . . . . . 13
         Section 8.3   Power to Modify Foregoing Procedures . . . . . . . 13

     ARTICLE IX--Holders  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

         Section 9.1   Rights of Holders  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
         Section 9.2   Meetings of Holders  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
         Section 9.3   Notice of Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
         Section 9.4   Record Date for Meetings, Distributions, etc.  . . 14
         Section 9.5   Proxies, etc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
         Section 9.6   Reports  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
         Section 9.7   Inspection of Records  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
         Section 9.8   Holder Action by Written Consent . . . . . . . . . 15
         Section 9.9   Notices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

     ARTICLE X--Duration; Termination; Amendment; Mergers; Etc. . . . . . 16

         Section 10.1  Duration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
         Section 10.2  Termination  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
         Section 10.3  Dissolution  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
         Section 10.4  Amendment Procedure  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
         Section 10.5  Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets . . . . . 19
         Section 10.6  Incorporation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

     ARTICLE XI--Miscellaneous  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

         Section 11.1  Certificate of Designation; Agent for 
                         Service of Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
         Section 11.2  Governing Law  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
         Section 11.3  Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
         Section 11.4  Reliance by Third Parties  . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
         Section 11.5  Provisions in Conflict With Law or Regulations . . 20




                                          ii
<PAGE>









                                DECLARATION OF TRUST

                                          OF

                                TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO
                           ------------------------------

                      This DECLARATION  OF TRUST  of Total  Return Portfolio  is
     made as of the  1st day of  May, 1992 by  the parties signatory hereto,  as
     Trustees (as defined in Section 1.2 hereof).

                                 W I T N E S S E T H:

                      WHEREAS, the  Trustees desire to  form a trust fund  under
     the law of  the State of  New York for the  investment and reinvestment  of
     its assets; and

                      WHEREAS, it is proposed that the  trust assets be composed
     of money  and property contributed  thereto by the holders  of interests in
     the trust entitled to ownership rights in the trust;

                      NOW,  THEREFORE, the  Trustees  hereby  declare that  they
     will hold  in trust all  money and property  contributed to the trust  fund
     and will  manage and dispose of the same for the  benefit of the holders of
     interests in the Trust and subject to the provisions hereof, to wit:

                                      ARTICLE I

                                      The Trust

                      1.1.     Name.   The name of the trust created hereby (the
     "Trust") shall be Total  Return Portfolio and so far as may  be practicable
     the Trustees  shall conduct  the Trust's activities,  execute all documents
     and sue  or be  sued under  that name,  which  name (and  the word  "Trust"
     wherever hereinafter used)  shall refer to  the Trustees  as Trustees,  and
     not individually,  and shall not  refer to the  officers, employees, agents
     or  independent contractors of  the Trust  or holders  of interests  in the
     Trust.

                      1.2.     Definitions.   As used  in this  Declaration, the
     following terms shall have the following meanings:

                      "Administrator" shall mean any  party furnishing  services
     to the Trust pursuant to  any administration contract described  in Section
     4.1 hereof.

                      "Book Capital  Account" shall mean, for  any Holder at any
     time, the Book  Capital Account of the  Holder for such day,  determined in
     accordance with Section 8.1 hereof.

                      "Code" shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Code  of 1986,
<PAGE>






     as amended from  time to time, as well  as any non-superseded provisions of
     the U.S.  Internal Revenue Code of  1954, as amended  (or any corresponding
     provision or provisions of succeeding law).

                      "Commission" shall mean  the U.S. Securities and  Exchange
     Commission.

                      "Declaration"  shall mean  this  Declaration of  Trust  as
     amended  from  time   to  time.     References  in   this  Declaration   to
     "Declaration",  "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" shall be deemed to refer
     to this Declaration  rather than the article  or section in which  any such
     word appears.

                      "Fiscal Year"  shall mean an  annual period determined  by
     the Trustees which ends on  December 31 of each  year or on such other  day
     as is permitted or required by the Code.

                      "Holders"  shall  mean  as  of  any  particular  time  all
     holders of record of Interests in the Trust.

                      "Institutional  Investor(s)"  shall  mean  any   regulated
     investment company,  segregated asset account, foreign  investment company,
     common trust fund,  group trust  or other  investment arrangement,  whether
     organized  within or without  the United States  of America,  other than an
     individual, S corporation,  partnership or grantor trust beneficially owned
     by any individual, S corporation or partnership.

                      "Interest(s)" shall mean  the interest of a  Holder in the
     Trust, including all rights, powers  and privileges accorded to  Holders by
     this  Declaration,  which  interest  may  be  expressed  as  a  percentage,
     determined by calculating, at such times and on such basis as the  Trustees
     shall from time to time determine, the ratio  of each Holder's Book Capital
     Account  balance  to  the  total  of  all  Holders'  Book  Capital  Account
     balances.  Reference herein  to a specified percentage of,  or fraction of,
     Interests,  means Holders  whose  combined  Book Capital  Account  balances
     represent  such  specified  percentage or  fraction of  the  combined  Book
     Capital Account balances of all, or a specified group of, Holders.

                      "Interested Person"  shall have  the meaning  given it  in
     the 1940 Act.

                      "Investment  Adviser"  shall  mean  any  party  furnishing
     services  to  the  Trust  pursuant  to  any  investment  advisory  contract
     described in Section 4.1 hereof.

                      "Majority  Interests  Vote"  shall mean  the  vote,  at  a
     meeting  of Holders,  of  (A)  67% or  more  of  the Interests  present  or
     represented at such meeting, if Holders of  more than 50% of all  Interests
     are  present  or  represented  by  proxy,  or  (B)  more than  50%  of  all
     Interests, whichever is less.

                      "Person"    shall    mean    and   include    individuals,

                                          2
<PAGE>






     corporations, partnerships, trusts, associations, joint  ventures and other
     entities, whether or not legal  entities, and governments and  agencies and
     political subdivisions thereof.

                      "Redemption"  shall  mean the  complete  withdrawal of  an
     Interest  of a  Holder the result  of which is  to reduce  the Book Capital
     Account balance of  that Holder to zero,  and the term "redeem"  shall mean
     to effect a Redemption.

                      "Trustees" shall mean each signatory  to this Declaration,
     so long as such  signatory shall continue in office in accordance  with the
     terms hereof, and  all other individuals who  at the time in  question have
     been  duly  elected   or  appointed  and  have  qualified  as  Trustees  in
     accordance  with  the  provisions  hereof  and  are  then  in  office,  and
     reference in this Declaration  to a Trustee or Trustees shall refer to such
     individual or individuals in their capacity as Trustees hereunder.

                      "Trust Property" shall mean as of any particular  time any
     and  all property, real or personal, tangible  or intangible, which at such
     time is owned or held by or for the account of the Trust or the Trustees.

                      The "1940 Act" shall mean the U.S.  Investment Company Act
     of  1940, as  amended from  time to  time,  and the  rules and  regulations
     thereunder.

                                     ARTICLE II

                                       Trustees

                      2.1.     Number and Qualification.  The number of Trustees
     shall  be  fixed from  time  to time  by action  of  the Trustees  taken as
     provided  in Section  2.5  hereof; provided,  however,  that the  number of
     Trustees so fixed shall  in no event  be less than  three or more than  15.
     Any vacancy  created by an increase in the number of Trustees may be filled
     by the appointment  of an individual having the qualifications described in
     this  Section 2.1  made  by action  of the  Trustees  taken as  provided in
     Section  2.5 hereof.    Any such  appointment  shall not  become effective,
     however,  until  the  individual  named   in  the  written  instrument   of
     appointment shall have accepted in  writing such appointment and  agreed in
     writing to be  bound by the terms of this Declaration.  No reduction in the
     number of  Trustees shall  have the  effect of  removing  any Trustee  from
     office.   Whenever  a  vacancy  occurs, until  such  vacancy is  filled  as
     provided  in  Section  2.4  hereof,  the  Trustees  continuing  in  office,
     regardless  of their  number,  shall have  all the  powers  granted to  the
     Trustees and shall discharge  all the duties  imposed upon the Trustees  by
     this Declaration.  A  Trustee shall be an  individual at least 21 years  of
     age who is not under legal disability.

                      2.2.     Term and Election.  Each Trustee named herein, or
     elected or appointed  prior to the first meeting  of Holders, shall (except
     in the event of  resignations, retirements, removals or  vacancies pursuant
     to  Section 2.3 or  Section 2.4  hereof) hold  office until a  successor to

                                          3
<PAGE>






     such Trustee has  been elected at such  meeting and has qualified  to serve
     as Trustee, as required under the  1940 Act.  Subject to the provisions  of
     Section 16(a)  of  the 1940  Act  and except  as  provided in  Section  2.3
     hereof, each  Trustee shall hold  office during the  lifetime of the  Trust
     and until its termination as hereinafter provided.

                      2.3.     Resignation, Removal and Retirement.  Any Trustee
     may  resign his  or  her  trust  (without  need  for  prior  or  subsequent
     accounting) by  an  instrument in  writing  executed  by such  Trustee  and
     delivered  or  mailed  to  the  Chairman, if  any,  the  President  or  the
     Secretary of  the Trust and  such resignation shall be  effective upon such
     delivery, or at  a later  date according to  the terms  of the  instrument.
     Any Trustee  may be  removed by  the affirmative  vote of  Holders of  two-
     thirds of  the Interests  or (provided  the aggregate  number of  Trustees,
     after such removal and  after giving effect to any appointment made to fill
     the  vacancy created by  such removal,  shall not  be less than  the number
     required by Section 2.1 hereof) with cause, by  the action of two-thirds of
     the  remaining Trustees.  Removal  with cause includes,  but is not limited
     to, the  removal of  a  Trustee due  to physical  or mental  incapacity  or
     failure to comply with  such written policies as  from time to time may  be
     adopted by at least  two-thirds of the Trustees with respect to the conduct
     of the Trustees  and attendance at meetings.   Any Trustee who has attained
     a mandatory retirement  age, if any,  established pursuant  to any  written
     policy  adopted from time  to time by at  least two-thirds  of the Trustees
     shall, automatically  and without action  by such Trustee  or the remaining
     Trustees, be deemed  to have retired in  accordance with the terms  of such
     policy,  effective  as of  the  date  determined  in  accordance with  such
     policy.  Any  Trustee who has become incapacitated  by illness or injury as
     determined by a majority  of the other Trustees, may be retired  by written
     instrument executed by  a majority of  the other  Trustees, specifying  the
     date of such  Trustee's retirement.   Upon the  resignation, retirement  or
     removal of a Trustee, or  a Trustee otherwise ceasing to be a Trustee, such
     resigning, retired,  removed or former  Trustee shall  execute and  deliver
     such documents as the  remaining Trustees shall require for  the purpose of
     conveying to  the Trust or the  remaining Trustees any  Trust Property held
     in the name  of such resigning, retired,  removed or former Trustee.   Upon
     the death of any Trustee or upon removal, retirement or resignation due  to
     any Trustee's incapacity to serve  as Trustee, the legal  representative of
     such  deceased, removed,  retired or  resigning Trustee  shall execute  and
     deliver on behalf of such  deceased, removed, retired or  resigning Trustee
     such documents as the  remaining Trustees shall require for the purpose set
     forth in the preceding sentence.

                      2.4.     Vacancies.  The term of office of a Trustee shall
     terminate  and  a  vacancy   shall  occur  in  the  event   of  the  death,
     resignation,  retirement, adjudicated incompetence  or other  incapacity to
     perform the  duties of  the office,  or  removal, of  a Trustee.   No  such
     vacancy shall operate to  annul this Declaration or to revoke  any existing
     agency  created pursuant to the terms of  this Declaration.  In the case of
     a vacancy,  Holders of  at least a  majority of  the Interests entitled  to
     vote, acting at any  meeting of Holders held in accordance with Section 9.2
     hereof,  or, to the  extent permitted by  the 1940 Act, a  majority vote of

                                          4
<PAGE>






     the   Trustees  continuing  in  office  acting  by  written  instrument  or
     instruments,  may fill  such vacancy,  and any  Trustee  so elected  by the
     Trustees or the Holders shall hold office as provided in this Declaration.

                      2.5.     Meetings.  Meetings of the Trustees shall be held
     from time  to time upon  the call of  the Chairman, if  any, the President,
     the  Secretary, an Assistant Secretary  or any two  Trustees, at such time,
     on  such day and at such place, as shall be designated in the notice of the
     meeting.   The Trustees  shall hold an annual  meeting for  the election of
     officers and the transaction of  other business which may come before  such
     meeting.   Regular meetings  of the Trustees  may be  held without call  or
     notice at a time  and place fixed  by the By-Laws  or by resolution of  the
     Trustees.   Notice of any other meeting shall be given by mail, by telegram
     (which  term  shall  include  a  cablegram),  by  telecopier  or  delivered
     personally (which term shall  include by telephone).  If notice is given by
     mail, it shall  be mailed not later than 48 hours preceding the meeting and
     if given by  telegram, telecopier or personally, such  notice shall be sent
     or delivery made not later than 24 hours preceding the meeting.  Notice  of
     a meeting of Trustees may be waived  before or after any meeting by  signed
     written waiver.  Neither the business to be  transacted at, nor the purpose
     of, any meeting of the Trustees  need be stated in the notice or waiver  of
     notice of such meeting.   The attendance  of a Trustee  at a meeting  shall
     constitute a waiver  of notice of such  meeting except in the  situation in
     which a Trustee attends  a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at
     the commencement of  such meeting, to  the transaction of  any business  on
     the ground  that the  meeting was  not lawfully  called or  convened.   The
     Trustees may act with or without a  meeting, but no notice need be given of
     action proposed to be taken by written consent.  A quorum  for all meetings
     of the  Trustees shall  be a  majority of  the Trustees.   Unless  provided
     otherwise in this Declaration, any action of  the Trustees may be taken  at
     a meeting by  vote of a  majority of the Trustees  present (a quorum  being
     present) or  without a  meeting by  written consent  of a  majority of  the
     Trustees.

                      Any  committee  of  the Trustees,  including  an executive
     committee, if  any, may act  with or without  a meeting.  A  quorum for all
     meetings of any such committee shall be a majority of the members  thereof.
     Unless  provided otherwise  in  this Declaration,  any  action of  any such
     committee may be  taken at a meeting  by vote of a majority  of the members
     present  (a quorum being present)  or without a  meeting by written consent
     of a majority of the members.

                      With respect to actions  of the Trustees and any committee
     of  the Trustees,  Trustees  who are  Interested Persons  of  the Trust  or
     otherwise interested in  any action to be  taken may be counted  for quorum
     purposes under  this Section  2.5  and shall  be entitled  to vote  to  the
     extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

                      All  or any  one  or more  Trustees  may participate  in a
     meeting of the Trustees  or any committee thereof by means of  a conference
     telephone  or  similar  communications  equipment  by  means  of  which all
     individuals   participating  in  the  meeting  can   hear  each  other  and

                                          5
<PAGE>






     participation in a  meeting by means of such communications equipment shall
     constitute presence in person at such meeting.

                      2.6.     Officers;  Chairman of  the Board.   The Trustees
     shall, from time to  time, elect a President, a Secretary and  a Treasurer.
     The Trustees  may elect or  appoint, from time  to time, a  Chairman of the
     Board who shall preside at all meetings of the Trustees  and carry out such
     other duties  as the  Trustees may designate.   The  Trustees may elect  or
     appoint or authorize the President  to appoint such other  officers, agents
     or independent contractors with such powers as the Trustees may deem to  be
     advisable.  The Chairman,  if any, shall be and each other officer may, but
     need not, be a Trustee.

                      2.7.     By-Laws.   The Trustees may adopt  and, from time
     to  time, amend or  repeal By-Laws for the  conduct of the  business of the
     Trust.

                                     ARTICLE III

                                  Powers of Trustees

                      3.1.     General.   The Trustees shall  have exclusive and
     absolute  control over  the Trust  Property  and over  the business  of the
     Trust to  the same extent as  if the Trustees were  the sole owners  of the
     Trust Property and  such business in their own  right, but with such powers
     of delegation as  may be permitted by  this Declaration.  The  Trustees may
     perform  such  acts  as  in their  sole  discretion  they  deem proper  for
     conducting the business of  the Trust.   The enumeration  of or failure  to
     mention any specific power herein  shall not be construed as  limiting such
     exclusive  and  absolute  control.   The  powers  of  the  Trustees  may be
     exercised without order of or resort to any court.

                      3.2.     Investments.  The Trustees shall have power to:

                               (a)     conduct,   operate   and  carry   on  the
     business of an investment company;

                               (b)     subscribe  for,  invest in,  reinvest in,
     purchase  or  otherwise  acquire, hold,  pledge,  sell,  assign,  transfer,
     exchange,  distribute or otherwise deal  in or dispose  of U.S. and foreign
     currencies  and  related   instruments  including  forward  contracts,  and
     securities,   including  common  and   preferred  stock,  warrants,  bonds,
     debentures, time notes and  all other evidences of indebtedness, negotiable
     or non-negotiable  instruments,  obligations,  certificates of  deposit  or
     indebtedness, commercial  paper, repurchase  agreements, reverse repurchase
     agreements,  convertible  securities, forward  contracts,  options, futures
     contracts,  and  other  securities, including,  without  limitation,  those
     issued, guaranteed  or sponsored by  any state, territory  or possession of
     the United  States  and  the  District  of  Columbia  and  their  political
     subdivisions, agencies  and instrumentalities, or  by the U.S.  Government,
     any  foreign  government,  or  any  agency,  instrumentality  or  political
     subdivision of  the  U.S. Government  or  any  foreign government,  or  any

                                          6
<PAGE>






     international  instrumentality,  or  by  any   bank,  savings  institution,
     corporation or  other  business entity  organized  under  the laws  of  the
     United  States or  under  any foreign  laws; and  to  exercise any  and all
     rights, powers  and privileges of ownership  or interest in respect  of any
     and  all such  investments of  any kind and description, including, without
     limitation, the  right to consent  and otherwise act  with respect thereto,
     with  power  to designate  one  or more  Persons  to exercise  any  of such
     rights, powers and  privileges in respect of  any of such  investments; and
     the Trustees shall be deemed to have  the foregoing powers with respect  to
     any additional instruments in which the Trustees may determine to invest.

                      The  Trustees  shall  not  be  limited   to  investing  in
     obligations  maturing  before the  possible termination  of the  Trust, nor
     shall the Trustees  be limited by  any law limiting  the investments  which
     may be made by fiduciaries.

                      3.3.     Legal Title.   Legal title to  all Trust Property
     shall be vested in the Trustees as  joint tenants except that the  Trustees
     shall have the  power to cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held
     by  or in the name  of one or more  of the Trustees, or in  the name of the
     Trust, or in the name or  nominee name of any other Person on behalf of the
     Trust, on such terms as the Trustees may determine.

                      The right,  title  and interest  of  the Trustees  in  the
     Trust  Property  shall  vest  automatically  in  each  individual  who  may
     hereafter become a Trustee  upon his due election and qualification.   Upon
     the resignation, removal or death of a Trustee, such  resigning, removed or
     deceased Trustee  shall automatically  cease to  have any  right, title  or
     interest in any Trust  Property, and the right, title and interest  of such
     resigning, removed or  deceased Trustee in  the Trust  Property shall  vest
     automatically in the  remaining Trustees.   Such vesting  and cessation  of
     title shall  be effective whether  or not conveyancing  documents have been
     executed and delivered.

                      3.4.     Sale and Increases of  Interests.  The  Trustees,
     in  their discretion,  may,  from  time to  time,  without  a vote  of  the
     Holders, permit  any Institutional  Investor  to purchase  an Interest,  or
     increase its  Interest, for such  type of consideration,  including cash or
     property,  at  such time  or  times  (including, without  limitation,  each
     business day), and  on such terms as the Trustees may deem best, and may in
     such  manner acquire  other  assets (including  the  acquisition of  assets
     subject to,  and in  connection with  the assumption  of, liabilities)  and
     businesses.  Individuals,  S corporations, partnerships and  grantor trusts
     that  are   beneficially  owned  by   any  individual,  S  corporation   or
     partnership may not purchase  Interests.  A  Holder which has redeemed  its
     Interest may not  be permitted to purchase  an Interest until the  later of
     60 calendar days  after the date of such Redemption or the first day of the
     Fiscal Year  next succeeding the  Fiscal Year during  which such Redemption
     occurred.

                      3.5      Decreases and Redemptions of Interests.   Subject
     to Article VII  hereof, the Trustees, in  their discretion, may,  from time

                                          7
<PAGE>






     to  time, without  a vote  of the Holders,  permit a  Holder to  redeem its
     Interest, or  decrease its Interest, for  either cash or  property, at such
     time or  times (including, without  limitation, each business  day), and on
     such terms as the Trustees may deem best.

                      3.6.     Borrow Money.   The Trustees shall  have power to
     borrow  money  or  otherwise  obtain  credit  and  to  secure  the  same by
     mortgaging, pledging or  otherwise subjecting as security the assets of the
     Trust, including  the  lending of  portfolio  securities, and  to  endorse,
     guarantee, or  undertake the  performance  of any  obligation, contract  or
     engagement of any other Person.

                      3.7.     Delegation;  Committees.  The Trustees shall have
     power,  consistent with  their continuing  exclusive  and absolute  control
     over  the Trust Property  and over the business  of the  Trust, to delegate
     from time  to time  to  such of  their number  or to  officers,  employees,
     agents  or independent contractors  of the  Trust the doing  of such things
     and the execution  of such instruments in  either the name of  the Trust or
     the names of the Trustees or otherwise as the Trustees may deem expedient.

                      3.8.     Collection and Payment.  The  Trustees shall have
     power to collect  all property  due to the  Trust; and to  pay all  claims,
     including  taxes,  against  the  Trust  Property;   to  prosecute,  defend,
     compromise  or abandon  any  claims relating  to  the  Trust or  the  Trust
     Property; to foreclose  any security interest securing  any obligation,  by
     virtue  of which  any property  is  owed to  the Trust;  and to  enter into
     releases, agreements and other instruments.

                      3.9.     Expenses.  The Trustees shall have power to incur
     and pay any expenses which in the opinion of  the Trustees are necessary or
     incidental to carry out  any of  the purposes of  this Declaration, and  to
     pay reasonable  compensation  from  the  Trust Property  to  themselves  as
     Trustees.    The Trustees  shall  fix  the  compensation  of all  officers,
     employees and Trustees.   The Trustees may pay themselves such compensation
     for special  services, including legal  and brokerage services,  as they in
     good  faith may deem reasonable,  and reimbursement for expenses reasonably
     incurred by themselves on behalf of the Trust.

                      3.10.    Miscellaneous  Powers.   The Trustees  shall have
     power to:  (a) employ  or contract  with such Persons  as the Trustees  may
     deem appropriate  for the  transaction of  the business  of  the Trust  and
     terminate  such employees  or contractual  relationships  as they  consider
     appropriate;  (b) enter  into joint  ventures, partnerships  and  any other
     combinations or  associations;  (c) purchase,  and  pay  for out  of  Trust
     Property,   insurance    policies   insuring    the   Investment   Adviser,
     Administrator,  placement  agent, Holders,  Trustees,  officers, employees,
     agents or independent contractors of  the Trust against all  claims arising
     by reason of holding any such position  or by reason of any action taken or
     omitted by  any such  Person in  such capacity,  whether or  not the  Trust
     would have the  power to indemnify such Person  against such liability; (d)
     establish  pension,  profit-sharing  and  other  retirement, incentive  and
     benefit plans  for  the Trustees,  officers,  employees  or agents  of  the

                                          8
<PAGE>






     Trust; (e)  make  donations, irrespective  of  benefit  to the  Trust,  for
     charitable,  religious, educational, scientific, civic or similar purposes;
     (f) to the  extent permitted  by law, indemnify  any Person  with whom  the
     Trust  has  dealings,  including  the  Investment  Adviser,  Administrator,
     placement  agent,  Holders,   Trustees,  officers,  employees,  agents   or
     independent contractors of the Trust, to such extent as the Trustees  shall
     determine;  (g)  guarantee  indebtedness  or  contractual  obligations   of
     others; (h) determine  and change the Fiscal  Year and the method  by which
     the accounts of  the Trust  shall be  kept; and (i)  adopt a  seal for  the
     Trust, but the absence of such a seal shall  not impair the validity of any
     instrument executed on behalf of the Trust.

                      3.11.    Further Powers.  The Trustees shall have power to
     conduct the business of  the Trust and carry on  its operations in any  and
     all of  its branches and  maintain offices, whether  within or without  the
     State of New York, in any and all  states of the United States of  America,
     in  the   District  of  Columbia,   and  in  any   and  all  commonwealths,
     territories,    dependencies,    colonies,    possessions,   agencies    or
     instrumentalities  of  the   United  States  of  America   and  of  foreign
     governments,  and  to  do  all such  other  things  and  execute  all  such
     instruments as  they deem  necessary, proper,  appropriate or desirable  in
     order to promote  the interests of the  Trust although such things  are not
     herein  specifically mentioned.  Any  determination as  to  what is  in the
     interests of  the Trust which is made  by the Trustees in  good faith shall
     be  conclusive.   In  construing the  provisions  of this  Declaration, the
     presumption shall be in  favor of a  grant of power  to the Trustees.   The
     Trustees  shall not be required to obtain any  court order in order to deal
     with Trust Property.


                                     ARTICLE IV

                         Investment Advisory, Administration
                           and Placement Agent Arrangements

                      4.1.     Investment  Advisory,  Administration  and  Other
     Arrangements.   The Trustees may  in their discretion,  from time to  time,
     enter  into  investment advisory  contracts,  administration  contracts  or
     placement agent  agreements whereby  the other  party to  such contract  or
     agreement  shall  undertake   to  furnish  the  Trustees   such  investment
     advisory,  administration, placement  agent and/or  other  services as  the
     Trustees shall,  from time to  time, consider appropriate  or desirable and
     all upon  such terms  and  conditions as  the Trustees  may in  their  sole
     discretion determine.   Notwithstanding any provision of  this Declaration,
     the Trustees may  authorize any Investment Adviser (subject to such general
     or specific instructions as the Trustees may, from time to time, adopt)  to
     effect purchases, sales, loans or  exchanges of Trust Property on behalf of
     the Trustees  or may authorize any  officer, employee or Trustee  to effect
     such  purchases, sales,  loans or exchanges  pursuant to recommendations of
     any such  Investment  Adviser  (all  without  any  further  action  by  the
     Trustees).  Any  such purchase, sale, loan  or exchange shall be  deemed to
     have been authorized by the Trustees.

                                          9
<PAGE>






                      4.2.     Parties  to  Contract.     Any  contract  of  the
     character described in  Section 4.1 hereof or  in the By-Laws of  the Trust
     may  be entered  into  with any  corporation,  firm, trust  or association,
     although one or  more of the  Trustees or officers of  the Trust may be  an
     officer, director,  Trustee, shareholder or  member of such  other party to
     the  contract,  and no  such  contract  shall  be  invalidated or  rendered
     voidable by reason  of the existence  of any  such relationship, nor  shall
     any individual  holding such  relationship be  liable merely  by reason  of
     such relationship  for any loss or expense to the  Trust under or by reason
     of  any such  contract or accountable  for any profit  realized directly or
     indirectly therefrom,  provided that  the contract  when  entered into  was
     reasonable and  fair  and not  inconsistent  with  the provisions  of  this
     Article IV or  the By-Laws of the Trust.  The same  Person may be the other
     party to one or more contracts entered into  pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof
     or  the  By-Laws of  the  Trust,  and  any individual  may  be  financially
     interested  or otherwise affiliated with Persons  who are parties to any or
     all of  the contracts mentioned in  this Section 4.2  or in the  By-Laws of
     the Trust.

                                      ARTICLE V

                        Liability of Holders; Limitations of 
                        Liability of Trustees, Officers, etc.

                      5.1.     Liability  of  Holders;  Indemnification.    Each
     Holder shall be jointly and  severally liable (with rights  of contribution
     inter se in proportion  to their respective Interests in the Trust) for the
     liabilities and obligations of the Trust in the event that the Trust  fails
     to satisfy  such liabilities and obligations;  provided, however,  that, to
     the extent  assets are available  in the Trust,  the Trust  shall indemnify
     and hold each  Holder harmless from and  against any claim or  liability to
     which such Holder  may become subject by reason  of being or having  been a
     Holder to the extent that such claim or liability imposes  on the Holder an
     obligation  or liability  which,  when  compared  to  the  obligations  and
     liabilities  imposed  on  other Holders,  is  greater  than  such  Holder's
     Interest (proportionate  share), and  shall reimburse  such Holder  for all
     legal and other expenses reasonably  incurred by such Holder  in connection
     with any such  claim or liability.   The rights accruing to a  Holder under
     this  Section 5.1 shall  not exclude any other  right to  which such Holder
     may be lawfully  entitled, nor shall anything contained herein restrict the
     right of the  Trust to indemnify or  reimburse a Holder in  any appropriate
     situation even  though not specifically  provided herein.   Notwithstanding
     the indemnification  procedure described  above, it is  intended that  each
     Holder shall remain jointly and  severally liable to the  Trust's creditors
     as a legal matter.

                      5.2.    Limitations of  Liability  of Trustees,  Officers,
     Employees, Agents, Independent  Contractors to Third Parties.   No Trustee,
     officer, employee, agent or independent  contractor (except in the  case of
     an agent  or independent  contractor to  the extent  expressly provided  by
     written contract) of the Trust  shall be subject to any  personal liability
     whatsoever  to any  Person,  other  than  the  Trust  or  the  Holders,  in

                                          10
<PAGE>






     connection with Trust  Property or the affairs  of the Trust; and  all such
     Persons shall look  solely to the Trust Property for satisfaction of claims
     of any  nature against a  Trustee, officer, employee,  agent or independent
     contractor (except  in the case  of an agent  or independent contractor  to
     the extent expressly provided by written contract) of the  Trust arising in
     connection with the affairs of the Trust.

                      5.3.     Limitations of Liability  of Trustees,  Officers,
     Employees, Agents,  Independent  Contractors to  Trust, Holders,  etc.   No
     Trustee,  officer, employee, agent or independent contractor (except in the
     case of  an  agent  or  independent  contractor  to  the  extent  expressly
     provided by written contract) of the Trust shall be  liable to the Trust or
     the  Holders  for   any  action  or  failure  to  act  (including,  without
     limitation, the failure to  compel in any way any former or  acting Trustee
     to  redress any breach  of trust) except for  such Person's  own bad faith,
     willful  misfeasance,  gross  negligence  or  reckless  disregard  of  such
     Person's duties.

                      5.4.     Mandatory  Indemnification.     The  Trust  shall
     indemnify,  to the  fullest  extent permitted  by  law (including  the 1940
     Act),  each Trustee,  officer, employee,  agent  or independent  contractor
     (except in the case  of an  agent or independent  contractor to the  extent
     expressly provided by  written contract) of the Trust (including any Person
     who serves at  the Trust's  request as a  director, officer  or trustee  of
     another organization in which the  Trust has any interest as a shareholder,
     creditor  or otherwise)  against all  liabilities  and expenses  (including
     amounts paid  in satisfaction  of judgments,  in compromise,  as fines  and
     penalties,  and as  counsel  fees) reasonably  incurred  by such  Person in
     connection with the  defense or disposition  of any  action, suit or  other
     proceeding, whether  civil  or  criminal,  in  which  such  Person  may  be
     involved or with  which such Person may  be threatened, while in  office or
     thereafter, by reason of  such Person being or having been such  a Trustee,
     officer, employee,  agent or independent contractor, except with respect to
     any  matter as to  which such  Person shall  have been adjudicated  to have
     acted  in bad  faith,  willful misfeasance,  gross  negligence or  reckless
     disregard of  such  Person's duties;  provided,  however,  that as  to  any
     matter disposed of  by a compromise payment  by such Person, pursuant  to a
     consent decree or  otherwise, no indemnification either for such payment or
     for  any  other  expenses  shall  be  provided  unless  there  has  been  a
     determination that such Person did  not engage in willful  misfeasance, bad
     faith, gross negligence  or reckless disregard  of the  duties involved  in
     the conduct of  such Person's office by  the court or other  body approving
     the  settlement  or other  disposition  or by  a  reasonable determination,
     based  upon a  review of  readily available  facts  (as opposed  to a  full
     trial-type inquiry),  that such Person  did not  engage in such  conduct by
     written opinion from independent  legal counsel  approved by the  Trustees.
     The rights accruing to any  Person under these provisions shall not exclude
     any other  right to which  such Person may  be lawfully entitled;  provided
     that no Person may satisfy any right of indemnity  or reimbursement granted
     in this Section 5.4 or  in Section 5.2 hereof  or to which such Person  may
     be otherwise entitled except out of the  Trust Property.  The Trustees  may
     make  advance  payments  in  connection  with  indemnification  under  this

                                          11
<PAGE>






     Section 5.4,  provided  that the  indemnified  Person  shall have  given  a
     written undertaking to  reimburse the Trust in the event it is subsequently
     determined that such Person is not entitled to such indemnification.

                      5.5.     No Bond Required of  Trustees.  No Trustee shall,
     as such, be obligated to give any  bond or surety or other security for the
     performance of any of such Trustee's duties hereunder.

                      5.6.     No  Duty  of  Investigation;   Notice  in   Trust
     Instruments, etc.   No purchaser, lender or  other Person dealing with  any
     Trustee, officer,  employee, agent or independent  contractor of  the Trust
     shall  be  bound  to  make  any  inquiry  concerning  the  validity of  any
     transaction  purporting  to be  made  by such  Trustee,  officer, employee,
     agent or  independent contractor or be liable for  the application of money
     or property paid, loaned or delivered  to or on the order of such  Trustee,
     officer,  employee, agent  or independent  contractor.   Every  obligation,
     contract, instrument, certificate  or other interest or undertaking  of the
     Trust, and  every other act or thing whatsoever executed in connection with
     the Trust shall be conclusively  taken to have been executed or done by the
     executors thereof only  in their capacity as Trustees, officers, employees,
     agents or independent  contractors of the Trust.  Every written obligation,
     contract, instrument, certificate or  other interest or undertaking of  the
     Trust  made or sold by any Trustee, officer, employee, agent or independent
     contractor of the  Trust, in such  capacity, shall  contain an  appropriate
     recital  to  the effect  that  the  Trustee,  officer,  employee, agent  or
     independent contractor  of the Trust  shall not personally  be bound by  or
     liable  thereunder, nor shall  resort be had to  their private property for
     the  satisfaction of any  obligation or  claim thereunder,  and appropriate
     references  shall be made therein  to the Declaration,  and may contain any
     further  recital which they may deem appropriate,  but the omission of such
     recital shall  not operate  to impose  personal liability  on any  Trustee,
     officer, employee, agent or independent  contractor of the Trust.   Subject
     to  the provisions of  the 1940 Act, the  Trust may  maintain insurance for
     the protection  of  the Trust  Property,  the  Holders, and  the  Trustees,
     officers, employees,  agents and independent  contractors  of  the Trust in
     such amount  as the  Trustees shall deem  adequate to  cover possible  tort
     liability, and such other insurance as the  Trustees in their sole judgment
     shall deem advisable.

                      5.7.     Reliance on Experts, etc.  Each Trustee, officer,
     employee, agent  or  independent contractor  of  the  Trust shall,  in  the
     performance of such  Person's duties, be fully and completely justified and
     protected with  regard to  any act  or any  failure to  act resulting  from
     reliance in good  faith upon the books  of account or other  records of the
     Trust (whether or  not the  Trust would have  the power  to indemnify  such
     Persons against  such  liability), upon  an  opinion  of counsel,  or  upon
     reports made to the  Trust by any  of its officers  or employees or by  any
     Investment  Adviser  or   Administrator,  accountant,  appraiser  or  other
     experts  or  consultants selected  with  reasonable care  by  the Trustees,
     officers or employees  of the Trust, regardless of  whether such counsel or
     expert may also be a Trustee.


                                          12
<PAGE>






                                     ARTICLE VI

                                      Interests

                      6.1.     Interests.  The beneficial  interest in the Trust
     Property shall  consist of non-transferable Interests.  The Interests shall
     be  personal  property   giving  only  the  rights   in  this   Declaration
     specifically set  forth.  The  value of an  Interest shall be equal  to the
     Book Capital Account balance of the Holder of the Interest.

                      6.2.     Non-Transferability.  A  Holder may not transfer,
     sell or exchange its Interest.

                      6.3.     Register of Interests.   A register shall be kept
     at the Trust  under the direction of  the Trustees which shall  contain the
     name, address  and  Book Capital  Account balance  of  each Holder.    Such
     register shall  be conclusive as  to the identity  of the Holders, and  the
     Trust shall not  be bound to recognize  any equitable or legal  claim to or
     interest in  an Interest  which  is not  contained in  such register.    No
     Holder shall  be entitled to  receive payment of  any distribution, nor  to
     have notice  given to it as herein provided, until it has given its address
     to such  officer or  agent of  the Trust as  is keeping  such register  for
     entry thereon.

                                     ARTICLE VII

                  Increases, Decreases And Redemptions of Interests

                      Subject  to applicable  law,  to  the provisions  of  this
     Declaration and to  such restrictions as may  from time to time  be adopted
     by the Trustees,  each Holder shall have  the right to vary  its investment
     in  the  Trust at  any time  without  limitation by  increasing  (through a
     capital contribution) or  decreasing (through a capital withdrawal) or by a
     Redemption of its Interest.   An increase in the investment  of a Holder in
     the Trust  shall be reflected  as an increase  in the Book Capital  Account
     balance  of that Holder and a decrease in the investment of a Holder in the
     Trust or the Redemption of the  Interest of a Holder shall be  reflected as
     a decrease in the  Book Capital Account balance of that Holder.   The Trust
     shall,  upon appropriate  and  adequate notice  from  any Holder  increase,
     decrease or redeem such Holder's  Interest for an amount determined  by the
     application  of a  formula adopted for  such purpose  by resolution  of the
     Trustees; provided  that (a)  the amount  received by the  Holder upon  any
     such decrease or Redemption shall  not exceed the decrease in the  Holder's
     Book Capital Account  balance effected by  such decrease  or Redemption  of
     its Interest, and (b) if so authorized by  the Trustees, the Trust may,  at
     any  time and  from  time  to time,  charge  fees  for effecting  any  such
     decrease or Redemption, at  such rates as the  Trustees may establish,  and
     may, at  any time and from time to time, suspend  such right of decrease or
     Redemption.   The  procedures for effecting  decreases or Redemptions shall
     be as determined by the Trustees from time to time.

                                     ARTICLE VIII

                                          13
<PAGE>






                        Determination of Book Capital Account
                              Balances and Distributions

                      8.1.     Book Capital Account Balances.  The Book  Capital
     Account balance  of each  Holder shall be  determined on  such days and  at
     such time  or times  as the  Trustees may  determine.   The Trustees  shall
     adopt resolutions setting  forth the method of determining the Book Capital
     Account balance of  each Holder.  The  power and duty to  make calculations
     pursuant  to such  resolutions may  be  delegated by  the  Trustees to  the
     Investment Adviser, Administrator,  custodian, or such other  Person as the
     Trustees may determine.  Upon the Redemption of  an Interest, the Holder of
     that Interest shall be  entitled to receive the balance of its Book Capital
     Account.   A Holder  may not  transfer, sell  or exchange its  Book Capital
     Account balance.

                      8.2.     Allocations  and Distributions  to Holders.   The
     Trustees  shall, in compliance  with the  Code, the 1940  Act and generally
     accepted  accounting principles,  establish  the  procedures by  which  the
     Trust  shall  make  (i) the  allocation  of  unrealized  gains and  losses,
     taxable  income and  tax loss, and  profit and  loss, or any  item or items
     thereof, to  each Holder,  (ii) the payment  of distributions,  if any,  to
     Holders,  and (iii) upon  liquidation, the  final distribution  of items of
     taxable income and expense.  Such procedures shall  be set forth in writing
     and  be furnished to  the Trust's accountants.  The Trustees  may amend the
     procedures adopted pursuant to  this Section  8.2 from time  to time.   The
     Trustees may  retain from  the net  profits such  amount as  they may  deem
     necessary  to  pay  the liabilities  and  expenses  of the  Trust,  to meet
     obligations of  the Trust,  and as they  may deem  desirable to use  in the
     conduct of the  affairs of the Trust  or to retain for  future requirements
     or extensions of the business.

                      8.3.     Power    to    Modify    Foregoing    Procedures.
     Notwithstanding any of the  foregoing provisions of this  Article VIII, the
     Trustees may prescribe,  in their absolute discretion, such other bases and
     times  for  determining the  net  income of  the  Trust, the  allocation of
     income of the  Trust, the Book Capital  Account balance of each  Holder, or
     the payment of  distributions to the Holders as  they may deem necessary or
     desirable to enable the Trust to comply with any  provision of the 1940 Act
     or any order of exemption issued by the Commission or with the Code.

                                     ARTICLE IX

                                       Holders

                      9.1.     Rights of  Holders.   The ownership of  the Trust
     Property and the  right to conduct any business described herein are vested
     exclusively in the Trustees,  and the Holders shall have no right  or title
     therein other  than the  beneficial interest  conferred by their  Interests
     and they  shall  have  no power  or  right to  call  for any  partition  or
     division of any Trust Property. 

                      9.2.     Meetings of Holders.   Meetings of Holders may be

                                          14
<PAGE>






     called at  any time by  a majority of  the Trustees and shall  be called by
     any Trustee upon  written request of Holders holding, in the aggregate, not
     less than  10% of  the Interests, such  request specifying  the purpose  or
     purposes for which  such meeting is to  be called.  Any such  meeting shall
     be held within or without the  State of New York and within  or without the
     United States  of America  on such day  and at  such time  as the  Trustees
     shall designate.   Holders of one-third of the Interests, present in person
     or  by proxy,  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  any
     business,  except as  may otherwise  be  required by  the  1940 Act,  other
     applicable law, this Declaration or the By-Laws of the Trust.  If  a quorum
     is present  at a meeting,  an affirmative vote  of the Holders present,  in
     person or  by proxy, holding more  than 50% of  the total Interests  of the
     Holders present, either  in person or by proxy, at such meeting constitutes
     the action of the Holders, unless a greater  number of affirmative votes is
     required by  the 1940 Act,  other applicable law,  this Declaration or  the
     By-Laws of the Trust.  All or any one of more  Holders may participate in a
     meeting  of  Holders   by  means  of  a  conference  telephone  or  similar
     communications equipment  by means  of which  all persons  participating in
     the meeting can hear each  other and participation in a meeting by means of
     such communications equipment shall constitute  presence in person at  such
     meeting.

                      9.3.     Notice of  Meetings.   Notice of each  meeting of
     Holders, stating  the time, place  and purposes  of the  meeting, shall  be
     given by the  Trustees by mail to  each Holder, at its  registered address,
     mailed at  least 10 days  and not  more than  60 days  before the  meeting.
     Notice of any meeting may be  waived in writing by any Holder either before
     or after  such meeting.   The  attendance of  a Holder  at a meeting  shall
     constitute a waiver  of notice of such  meeting except in the  situation in
     which a Holder  attends a meeting for  the express purpose of  objecting to
     the  transaction of any  business on  the ground  that the meeting  was not
     lawfully called or convened.  At any meeting,  any business properly before
     the meeting may be  considered whether or not  stated in the notice of  the
     meeting.  Any adjourned  meeting may be  held as adjourned without  further
     notice.

                      9.4.     Record  Date  for  Meetings,  Distributions, etc.
     For the purpose  of determining the Holders  who are entitled to  notice of
     and to vote  or act at any  meeting, including any adjournment  thereof, or
     to participate  in  any distribution,  or  for  the purpose  of  any  other
     action, the Trustees may  from time to time  fix a date,  not more than  90
     days prior  to the  date of any  meeting of Holders  or the payment  of any
     distribution or the taking of  any other action, as  the case may be, as  a
     record date for the  determination of the Persons to be treated  as Holders
     for such  purpose.  If  the Trustees do  not, prior to  any meeting of  the
     Holders,  so fix  a record  date, then  the date  of mailing notice  of the
     meeting shall be the record date.

                      9.5.     Proxies,  etc.   At any  meeting of  Holders, any
     Holder entitled to vote  thereat may vote by proxy, provided that  no proxy
     shall be  voted at any  meeting unless  it shall have  been placed on  file
     with  the Secretary, or  with such other  officer or agent of  the Trust as

                                          15
<PAGE>






     the Secretary may direct, for verification prior to the time at which  such
     vote is  to be  taken.   A proxy may  be revoked  by a  Holder at any  time
     before it has  been exercised  by placing on  file with  the Secretary,  or
     with such other officer or agent of the Trust  as the Secretary may direct,
     a later  dated proxy or written revocation.   Pursuant to a resolution of a
     majority of  the Trustees,  proxies may  be solicited  in the  name of  the
     Trust or of one or more  Trustees or of one or more officers of  the Trust.
     Only  Holders on the  record date  shall be  entitled to  vote.   Each such
     Holder shall be entitled to a vote  proportionate to its Interest.  When an
     Interest is  held jointly by several  Persons, any one of  them may vote at
     any meeting in person or by proxy in respect of such Interest, but  if more
     than one  of them is  present at such  meeting in  person or by  proxy, and
     such joint owners or  their proxies so present  disagree as to any  vote to
     be  cast, such vote shall  not be received in respect  of such Interest.  A
     proxy purporting  to  be executed  by or  on behalf  of a  Holder shall  be
     deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise, and the  burden
     of proving  invalidity shall  rest on the  challenger.   No proxy shall  be
     valid after one year from the date of execution, unless a longer period  is
     expressly  stated in  such proxy.   The Trust may  also permit  a Holder to
     authorize and  empower individuals named  as proxies on  any form of  proxy
     solicited by the Trustees to vote that  Holder's Interest on any matter  by
     recording  his voting  instructions on any  recording device maintained for
     that purpose by the  Trust or its agent, provided the Holder  complies with
     such  procedures  as   the  Trustees  may  designate  to  be  necessary  or
     appropriate to  determine the  authenticity of the  voting instructions  so
     recorded; such instructions shall be  deemed to constitute a  written proxy
     signed by  the Holder and delivered to the Trust and  shall be deemed to be
     dated  as of the  date such  instructions were transmitted,  and the Holder
     shall be  deemed to have  approved and ratified  all actions taken by  such
     proxies in accordance with the voting instructions so recorded.

                      9.6.     Reports.  The Trustees shall cause to be prepared
     and  furnished to  each Holder,  at least  annually as  of the end  of each
     Fiscal Year,  a  report of  operations  containing a  balance sheet  and  a
     statement of  income of  the Trust  prepared in  conformity with  generally
     accepted accounting  principles  and an  opinion of  an independent  public
     accountant on such  financial statements.  The Trustees shall, in addition,
     furnish  to  each  Holder  at   least  semi-annually  interim  reports   of
     operations containing  an unaudited  balance sheet  as of  the end  of such
     period and  an  unaudited statement  of  income  for the  period  from  the
     beginning of the then-current Fiscal Year to the end of such period.

                      9.7.     Inspection of Records.   The books and records of
     the Trust shall  be open  to inspection by  Holders during normal  business
     hours for any purpose not harmful to the Trust.

                      9.8.     Holder Action  by Written  Consent.   Any  action
     which may be taken  by Holders may  be taken without  a meeting if  Holders
     holding more than 50%  of all  Interests entitled to  vote (or such  larger
     proportion thereof as  shall be required  by any express provision  of this
     Declaration) consent  to the action in writing and the written consents are
     filed  with the records of the meetings of Holders.  Such consents shall be

                                          16
<PAGE>






     treated for  all purposes as  a vote taken  at a meeting of  Holders.  Each
     such  written consent  shall be  executed by  or  on behalf  of the  Holder
     delivering such consent  and shall  bear the date  of such  execution.   No
     such written  consent shall  be effective  to take the  action referred  to
     therein unless,  within one  year of  the earliest  dated consent,  written
     consents  executed by a  sufficient number  of Holders to  take such action
     are filed with the records of the meetings of Holders.

                      9.9.     Notices.  Any and  all communications,  including
     any and  all notices to which  any Holder may be  entitled, shall be deemed
     duly served or given  if mailed, postage prepaid, addressed to a  Holder at
     its last known address as recorded on the register of the Trust.

                                      ARTICLE X

                                Duration; Termination;
                               Amendment; Mergers; Etc.

                      10.1.    Duration.    Subject  to possible  termination or
     dissolution in accordance with the  provisions of Section 10.2  and Section
     10.3 hereof,  respectively, the Trust  created hereby shall continue  until
     the expiration of  20 years  after the death  of the last  survivor of  the
     initial Trustees named herein and the following named persons:


                                                            Date of
     Name                           Address                  Birth 

     Cassius Marcellus Cornelius    742 Old Dublin Road     November 9, 1990
      Clay                          Hancock, NH  03449

     Sara Briggs Sullivan           1308 Rhodes Street      September 17, 1990
                                    Dubois, WY  82513

     Myles Bailey Rawson            Winhall Hollow Road     May 13, 1990
                                    R.R. #1, Box 178B
                                    Bondville, VT  05340

     Zeben Curtis Kopchak           Box 1126                October 31, 1989
                                    Cordova, AK  99574

     Landon Harris Clay             742 Old Dublin Road     February 15, 1989
                                    Hancock, NH  03449

     Kelsey Ann Sullivan            1308 Rhodes Street      May 1, 1988
                                    Dubois, WY  82513

     Carter Allen Rawson            Winhall Hollow Road     January 28, 1988
                                    R.R. #1, Box 178B
                                    Bondville, VT  05340

     Obadiah Barclay Kopchak        Box 1126                August 29, 1987

                                          17
<PAGE>






                                    Cordova, AK  99574

     Richard Tubman Clay            742 Old Dublin Road     April 12, 1987
                                    Hancock, NH  03449

     Thomas Moragne Clay            742 Old Dublin Road     April 11, 1985
                                    Hancock, NH  03449

     Zachariah Bishop Kopchak       Box 1126                January 11, 1985
                                    Cordova, AK  99574

     Sager Anna Kopchak             Box 1126                May 22, 1983
                                    Cordova, AK  99574

                 10.2.    Termination.

                          (a)     The  Trust  may  be   terminated  (i)  by  the
     affirmative  vote of Holders of  not less than  two-thirds of all Interests
     at  any meeting  of  Holders  or by  an  instrument  in writing  without  a
     meeting,  executed by  a  majority  of the  Trustees  and consented  to  by
     Holders  of not  less  than two-thirds  of all  Interests,  or (ii)  by the
     Trustees by written notice to the Holders.  Upon any such termination,

                          (i) the  Trust shall  carry on  no business  except
         for the purpose of winding up its affairs;

                          (ii)  the Trustees  shall proceed  to  wind up  the
         affairs of the  Trust and all  of the powers  of the Trustees  under
         this Declaration  shall continue until the affairs of the Trust have
         been  wound  up, including  the power  to  fulfill or  discharge the
         contracts  of  the Trust,  collect the  assets  of the  Trust, sell,
         convey, assign, exchange or otherwise dispose of  all or any part of
         the Trust  Property to one or more Persons at public or private sale
         for  consideration which may  consist in whole  or in part  of cash,
         securities  or  other property  of any  kind,  discharge or  pay the
         liabilities  of  the Trust,  and do  all  other acts  appropriate to
         liquidate  the  business  of  the  Trust;  provided  that  any sale,
         conveyance,  assignment, exchange  or other  disposition  of all  or
         substantially all the  Trust Property shall require  approval of the
         principal  terms of the transaction and the nature and amount of the
         consideration by the  vote of Holders holding  more than 50%  of all
         Interests; and

                          (iii) after paying or adequately providing for  the
         payment of  all  liabilities, and  upon  receipt of  such  releases,
         indemnities  and refunding  agreements as  they  deem necessary  for
         their protection, the Trustees shall  distribute the remaining Trust
         Property,  in cash  or in  kind or  partly each,  among the  Holders
         according to  their respective rights as set forth in the procedures
         established pursuant to Section 8.2 hereof.

                          (b)     Upon    termination    of   the    Trust   and

                                          18
<PAGE>






     distribution  to the Holders as herein provided, a majority of the Trustees
     shall execute  and file  with the  records of  the Trust  an instrument  in
     writing setting forth the fact  of such termination and distribution.  Upon
     termination of the Trust, the  Trustees shall thereupon be  discharged from
     all further liabilities  and duties hereunder, and the rights and interests
     of all Holders shall thereupon cease.

                 10.3.    Dissolution.   Upon the  bankruptcy of  any Holder, or
     upon  the  Redemption  of  any  Interest,  the  Trust  shall  be  dissolved
     effective 120 days after the event.  However, the Holders (other than  such
     bankrupt or  redeeming Holder) may, by a  unanimous affirmative vote at any
     meeting of such  Holders or by an  instrument in writing without  a meeting
     executed  by  a majority  of  the Trustees  and  consented to  by  all such
     Holders, agree  to continue  the business of  the Trust  even if there  has
     been such a dissolution.

                 10.4.    Amendment Procedure.

                          (a)     This  Declaration may  be amended  by the vote
     of Holders  of more than 50% of all Interests at  any meeting of Holders or
     by an instrument  in writing without a  meeting, executed by a  majority of
     the  Trustees and  consented to  by the  Holders of  more than  50%  of all
     Interests.   Notwithstanding any other  provision hereof, this  Declaration
     may be  amended by an instrument in  writing executed by a  majority of the
     Trustees, and without the  vote or consent of Holders, for any  one or more
     of the following  purposes:  (i) to change  the name of the  Trust, (ii) to
     supply  any omission,  or  to cure,  correct  or supplement  any ambiguous,
     defective  or   inconsistent  provision   hereof,  (iii) to   conform  this
     Declaration to  the requirements of applicable  federal law  or regulations
     or  the requirements  of  the applicable  provisions  of the  Code, (iv) to
     change the  state or other jurisdiction  designated herein as the  state or
     other jurisdiction  whose law  shall be  the governing  law hereof,  (v) to
     effect  such  changes  herein  as  the Trustees  find  to  be  necessary or
     appropriate (A) to permit the  filing of this Declaration under  the law of
     such  state  or  other  jurisdiction  applicable  to  trusts  or  voluntary
     associations,  (B) to  permit the  Trust  to  elect  to  be  treated  as  a
     "regulated  investment company"  under  the  applicable provisions  of  the
     Code,  or  (C) to  permit  the transfer  of  Interests  (or  to permit  the
     transfer  of any  other  beneficial  interest in  or  share  of the  Trust,
     however denominated), (vi) in  conjunction with any amendment  contemplated
     by the foregoing  clause (iv) or the foregoing  clause (v) to make  any and
     all such  further  changes or  modifications  to  this Declaration  as  the
     Trustees find to be necessary  or appropriate, any finding of the  Trustees
     referred to in the foregoing clause (v) or the foregoing clause (vi) to  be
     conclusively evidenced  by  the  execution  of  any  such  amendment  by  a
     majority  of  the  Trustees,  and  (vii)  change,  modify  or  rescind  any
     provision  of  this  Declaration  provided  such  change,  modification  or
     rescission is found by the Trustees to  be necessary or appropriate and  to
     not have  a materially  adverse effect  on the  financial interests of  the
     Holders, any such finding to be conclusively evidenced by the execution  of
     any such amendment by a  majority of the Trustees; provided,  however, that
     unless effected  in  compliance  with the  provisions  of  Section  10.4(b)

                                          19
<PAGE>






     hereof, no  amendment otherwise  authorized by  this sentence  may be  made
     which  would reduce the  amount payable with  respect to  any Interest upon
     liquidation of  the Trust and;  provided, further, that  the Trustees shall
     not be liable  for failing to make any  amendment permitted by this Section
     10.4(a).

                          (b)     No    amendment    may    be     made    under
     Section 10.4(a) hereof  which would change  any rights with  respect to any
     Interest by reducing  the amount payable  thereon upon  liquidation of  the
     Trust,  except with the  vote or  consent of  Holders of two-thirds  of all
     Interests.

                          (c)     A  certification  in recordable  form executed
     by a majority of the Trustees setting forth  an amendment and reciting that
     it was  duly adopted by  the Holders or  by the Trustees as  aforesaid or a
     copy of the Declaration, as amended, in recordable form, and executed by  a
     majority of  the Trustees, shall  be conclusive evidence  of such amendment
     when filed with the records of the Trust.

                 Notwithstanding any other provision hereof,  until such time as
     Interests are first sold, this Declaration may be  terminated or amended in
     any  respect by the affirmative  vote of a majority of  the Trustees at any
     meeting of  Trustees or  by an  instrument executed  by a  majority of  the
     Trustees.

                 10.5.    Merger, Consolidation  and Sale of Assets.   The Trust
     may merge or  consolidate with any other corporation, association, trust or
     other organization or may sell, lease or exchange all or substantially  all
     of the  Trust Property, including good will, upon such terms and conditions
     and  for  such consideration  when  and as  authorized  at  any meeting  of
     Holders called for such purpose by a Majority Interests Vote, and any  such
     merger, consolidation,  sale, lease  or exchange  shall be  deemed for  all
     purposes to  have been accomplished  under and pursuant to  the statutes of
     the State of New York.

                 10.6.    Incorporation.   Upon a  Majority Interests  Vote, the
     Trustees may  cause to be organized  or assist in organizing  a corporation
     or corporations under the law of any jurisdiction or  a trust, partnership,
     association  or other organization  to take  over the Trust  Property or to
     carry on any business  in which  the Trust directly  or indirectly has  any
     interest, and to sell,  convey and transfer the Trust Property to  any such
     corporation,  trust,  partnership,  association  or other  organization  in
     exchange for the equity interests  thereof or otherwise, and to lend  money
     to,  subscribe for  the equity  interests of,  and enter  into any contract
     with  any  such  corporation,  trust,  partnership,  association  or  other
     organization, or any corporation, trust, partnership,  association or other
     organization  in  which  the Trust  holds  or is  about  to  acquire equity
     interests.  The Trustees  may also cause a merger or  consolidation between
     the  Trust  or any  successor  thereto  and  any  such corporation,  trust,
     partnership,  association  or  other  organization  if  and to  the  extent
     permitted  by  law.    Nothing  contained  herein  shall  be  construed  as
     requiring approval of  the Holders for the  Trustees to organize  or assist

                                          20
<PAGE>






     in organizing one or more corporations,  trusts, partnerships, associations
     or other organizations  and selling, conveying or transferring a portion of
     the Trust Property to one or more of such organizations or entities.

                                     ARTICLE XI

                                    Miscellaneous

                 11.1.    Certificate  of  Designation;  Agent  for  Service  of
     Process.   The Trust shall file, with  the Department of State of the State
     of New York,  a certificate, in  the name of the  Trust and executed by  an
     officer of the  Trust, designating the Secretary  of State of the  State of
     New  York as an agent upon whom process in any action or proceeding against
     the Trust may be served.

                 11.2.    Governing Law.   This  Declaration is  executed by the
     Trustees and delivered in  the State of New York and with  reference to the
     law  thereof,   and  the  rights  of  all  parties  and  the  validity  and
     construction of  every provision hereof  shall be subject  to and construed
     in accordance with the law of the  State of New York and reference shall be
     specifically made  to the  trust law  of the State  of New  York as  to the
     construction of  matters not specifically covered herein  or as to which an
     ambiguity exists.

                 11.3.    Counterparts.   This Declaration may be simultaneously
     executed in several  counterparts, each of which  shall be deemed to  be an
     original, and  such counterparts,  together, shall  constitute one  and the
     same instrument,  which shall  be sufficiently  evidenced by  any one  such
     original counterpart.

                 11.4.    Reliance by  Third Parties.   Any certificate executed
     by an  individual who,  according to the  records of  the Trust  or of  any
     recording office  in which this Declaration may  be recorded, appears to be
     a Trustee  hereunder,  certifying  to:    (a) the  number  or  identity  of
     Trustees or  Holders, (b) the  due authorization  of the  execution of  any
     instrument or writing,  (c) the form  of any vote  passed at  a meeting  of
     Trustees or  Holders, (d) the fact that  the number of Trustees  or Holders
     present at  any meeting or  executing any written  instrument satisfies the
     requirements of  this Declaration, (e) the  form of any  By-Laws adopted by
     or  the  identity of  any  officer  elected  by  the Trustees,  or  (f) the
     existence  of any fact or  facts which in any  manner relate to the affairs
     of the Trust, shall be conclusive evidence  as to the matters so  certified
     in favor of any Person dealing with the Trustees.

                 11.5.    Provisions in Conflict With Law or Regulations.

                          (a)     The   provisions   of  this   Declaration  are
     severable, and  if  the  Trustees  shall  determine,  with  the  advice  of
     counsel,  that any of such provisions is  in conflict with the 1940 Act, or
     with other applicable law and regulations, the conflicting provision  shall
     be deemed never to have  constituted a part of this  Declaration; provided,
     however, that  such determination  shall not  affect any  of the  remaining

                                          21
<PAGE>






     provisions of this  Declaration or render  invalid or  improper any  action
     taken or omitted prior to such determination.

                          (b)     If  any provision of this Declaration shall be
     held  invalid or  unenforceable  in any  jurisdiction,  such invalidity  or
     unenforceability shall attach only  to such provision in  such jurisdiction
     and  shall  not  in  any   manner  affect  such  provision  in   any  other
     jurisdiction  or   any  other   provision  of   this  Declaration  in   any
     jurisdiction.

                 IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,   the  undersigned  have   executed  this
     instrument as of the day and year first above written.


                                           /s/James G. Baur
                                           -----------------------------     
                                           James G. Baur, as Trustee and
                                            not individually


                                            /s/H. Day Brigham, Jr.
                                           -------------------------------
                                           H. Day Brigham, Jr., as Trustee 
                                            and not individually


                                            /s/James B. Hawkes
                                           -------------------------------
                                           James B. Hawkes, as Trustee and
                                            not individually























                                          22
<PAGE>


















                                TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO

                               -----------------------

                                       BY-LAWS

                                As Adopted May 1, 1992
<PAGE>







                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                            PAGE

     ARTICLE I -- Meetings of Holders    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1

                      Section 1.1      Records at Holder Meetings    . . . .   1
                      Section 1.2      Inspectors of Election    . . . . . .   1


     ARTICLE II -- Officers    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2

                      Section 2.1      Officers of the Trust   . . . . . . .   2
                      Section 2.2      Election and Tenure   . . . . . . . .   2
                      Section 2.3      Removal of Officers   . . . . . . . .   2
                      Section 2.4      Bonds and Surety    . . . . . . . . .   2
                      Section 2.5      Chairman, President and Vice
                                        President    . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
                      Section 2.6      Secretary   . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
                      Section 2.7      Treasurer   . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
                      Section 2.8      Other Officers and Duties   . . . . .   3


     ARTICLE III -- Miscellaneous    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4

                      Section 3.1      Depositories    . . . . . . . . . . .   4
                      Section 3.2      Signatures    . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
                      Section 3.3      Seal  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
                      Section 3.4      Indemnification   . . . . . . . . . .   4
                      Section 3.5      Distribution Disbursing Agents 
                                        and the Like   . . . . . . . . . . .   4


     ARTICLE IV -- Regulations; Amendment of By-Laws   . . . . . . . . . . .   5

                      Section 4.1      Regulations   . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
                      Section 4.2      Amendment and Repeal of By-Laws   . .   5














                                          i
<PAGE>






                                       BY-LAWS

                                          OF

                                TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO
                               ---------------------- 


                      These By-Laws  are made  and adopted  pursuant to  Section
     2.7 of  the Declaration of  Trust establishing TOTAL  RETURN PORTFOLIO (the
     "Trust"), dated  as of  May 1,  1992, as  from  time to  time amended  (the
     "Declaration").  All  words and terms  capitalized in  these By-Laws  shall
     have the meaning  or meanings  set forth  for such  words or  terms in  the
     Declaration.

                                      ARTICLE I

                                 Meetings of Holders

                      Section  1.1.  Records  at   Holder  Meetings.    At  each
     meeting of the  Holders there shall be  open for inspection the  minutes of
     the  last previous  meeting  of Holders  of the  Trust  and a  list  of the
     Holders of the Trust, certified to be true and correct by the  Secretary or
     other proper  agent of the  Trust, as of  the record  date of the  meeting.
     Such list of Holders shall contain the name of each Holder in  alphabetical
     order and  the address  and Interest owned  by such  Holder on such  record
     date.

                      Section 1.2.  Inspectors of  Election.  In advance  of any
     meeting of the Holders,  the Trustees may appoint Inspectors of Election to
     act at the  meeting or any adjournment thereof.   If Inspectors of Election
     are not so appointed, the chairman, if  any, of any meeting of the  Holders
     may,  and  on  the  request of  any  Holder  or  his  proxy shall,  appoint
     Inspectors of Election.   The  number of  Inspectors of  Election shall  be
     either  one or three.  If appointed at the meeting on the request of one or
     more Holders or  proxies, a Majority Interests Vote shall determine whether
     one or three Inspectors  of Election  are to be  appointed, but failure  to
     allow  such determination by  the Holders shall not  affect the validity of
     the appointment  of  Inspectors  of  Election.    In  case  any  individual
     appointed as an  Inspector of Election fails to  appear or fails or refuses
     to  so act, the vacancy  may be filled by  appointment made by the Trustees
     in advance  of the  convening  of the  meeting  or at  the meeting  by  the
     individual acting as chairman of  the meeting.  The Inspectors of  Election
     shall  determine  the   Interest  owned  by  each  Holder,   the  Interests
     represented at  the meeting, the  existence of a  quorum, the authenticity,
     validity and effect of proxies,  shall receive votes, ballots  or consents,
     shall hear and determine  all challenges and questions  in any way  arising
     in connection with  the right to vote,  shall count and tabulate  all votes
     or consents, shall  determine the results, and shall  do such other acts as
     may  be proper  to  conduct  the election  or  vote  with fairness  to  all
     Holders.  If there are three Inspectors  of Election, the decision, act  or
     certificate of  a majority is  effective in all  respects as  the decision,
     act  or certificate of  all.   On request of  the chairman, if  any, of the
     meeting, or of  any Holder or its  proxy, the Inspectors of  Election shall
<PAGE>






     make a report in writing of any challenge or question or matter  determined
     by them and shall execute a certificate of any facts found by them.


                                     ARTICLE II

                                       Officers

                      Section 2.1.  Officers of the Trust.  The officers  of the
     Trust  shall consist of  a Chairman,  if any,  a President, a  Secretary, a
     Treasurer  and such  other officers or  assistant officers,  including Vice
     Presidents, as  may be elected  by the Trustees.   Any  two or more  of the
     offices may be  held by the same individual.   The Trustees may designate a
     Vice President  as an Executive Vice President and  may designate the order
     in which  the  other Vice  Presidents may  act.   The Chairman  shall be  a
     Trustee,  but no other officer of  the Trust, including the President, need
     be a Trustee.

                      Section  2.2.  Election  and  Tenure.    At   the  initial
     organization  meeting  and   thereafter  at  each  annual  meeting  of  the
     Trustees, the Trustees  shall elect the  Chairman, if  any, the  President,
     the Secretary, the Treasurer and such other officers as the  Trustees shall
     deem necessary  or appropriate in  order to carry  out the business of  the
     Trust.  Such  officers shall hold office  until the next annual  meeting of
     the Trustees  and  until  their  successors  have  been  duly  elected  and
     qualified.   The  Trustees  may  fill any  vacancy  in  office or  add  any
     additional officer at any time.

                      Section 2.3.  Removal  of Officers.   Any  officer may  be
     removed at any time, with  or without cause, by action of a majority of the
     Trustees.  This provision  shall not  prevent the making  of a contract  of
     employment for a  definite term with any  officer and shall have  no effect
     upon any cause  of action which any officer may have as a result of removal
     in breach of a contract of employment.   Any officer may resign at any time
     by notice in writing signed by such  officer and delivered or mailed to the
     Chairman, if  any, the  President or  the Secretary,  and such  resignation
     shall take effect  immediately, or at a  later date according to  the terms
     of such notice in writing.

                      Section  2.4.  Bonds  and  Surety.   Any  officer  may  be
     required by the Trustees  to be bonded for the faithful performance  of his
     duties  in  such  amount  and  with  such  sureties  as  the  Trustees  may
     determine.

                      Section  2.5.  Chairman,  President  and Vice  Presidents.
     The Chairman, if any,  shall, if  present, preside at  all meetings of  the
     Holders  and of  the Trustees  and shall  exercise and  perform  such other
     powers and  duties as  may be  from time  to time  assigned to  him by  the
     Trustees.   Subject to such supervisory powers,  if any, as may be given by
     the Trustees  to the  Chairman, if any,  the President  shall be the  chief
     executive  officer of  the  Trust  and, subject  to  the   control  of  the
     Trustees,  shall have  general supervision,  direction and  control  of the

                                          2
<PAGE>






     business of the Trust and of its employees and shall exercise such  general
     powers of management as are usually vested in the office of  President of a
     corporation.  In the absence of the  Chairman, if any, the President  shall
     preside at  all  meetings  of  the  Holders and,  in  the  absence  of  the
     Chairman, the  President shall  preside at  all meetings  of the  Trustees.
     The President shall be,  ex officio, a member of all standing committees of
     Trustees.   Subject to the  direction of the  Trustees, the President shall
     have  the power, in the name and on behalf of the Trust, to execute any and
     all  loan documents,  contracts,  agreements,  deeds, mortgages  and  other
     instruments in  writing, and to  employ and discharge  employees and agents
     of the Trust.   Unless  otherwise directed by  the Trustees, the  President
     shall have  full authority  and power  to attend,  to act and  to vote,  on
     behalf of the  Trust, at any meeting of  any business organization in which
     the  Trust holds  an interest,  or to  confer  such powers  upon any  other
     person,  by  executing any  proxies  duly  authorizing  such  person.   The
     President shall  have such further  authorities and duties  as the Trustees
     shall from  time to time determine.   In the  absence or disability  of the
     President,  the  Vice  Presidents  in  order  of  their  rank  or  the Vice
     President designated by  the Trustees, shall perform  all of the  duties of
     the  President, and  when so  acting shall  have all  the powers of  and be
     subject to all  of the  restrictions upon the  President.   Subject to  the
     direction of the  President, each  Vice President shall  have the power  in
     the name and on behalf  of the Trust to execute any and all loan documents,
     contracts, agreements, deeds,  mortgages and other instruments  in writing,
     and, in  addition, shall  have such  other duties  and powers  as shall  be
     designated from time to time by the Trustees or by the President.

                      Section 2.6.  Secretary.    The Secretary  shall keep  the
     minutes of all meetings of, and record all  votes of, Holders, Trustees and
     the Executive  Committee, if any.   The results of  all actions taken  at a
     meeting of the  Trustees, or by written  consent of the Trustees,  shall be
     recorded by the  Secretary.  The Secretary  shall be custodian of  the seal
     of  the  Trust, if  any, and  (and any  other person  so authorized  by the
     Trustees) shall affix the  seal or, if  permitted, a facsimile thereof,  to
     any  instrument executed by the  Trust which would be sealed  by a New York
     corporation executing the  same or a  similar instrument  and shall  attest
     the  seal and  the  signature  or signatures  of  the officer  or  officers
     executing such  instrument on  behalf of  the Trust.   The Secretary  shall
     also  perform any other  duties commonly incident to  such office  in a New
     York corporation, and shall have  such other authorities and duties  as the
     Trustees shall from time to time determine.

                      Section 2.7.  Treasurer.  Except as  otherwise directed by
     the  Trustees, the  Treasurer  shall have  the  general supervision  of the
     monies,  funds, securities, notes receivable  and other valuable papers and
     documents of the Trust, and shall  have and exercise under the  supervision
     of  the  Trustees  and of  the  President all  powers  and  duties normally
     incident  to  his  office.   The  Treasurer  may  endorse  for  deposit  or
     collection all notes, checks and other instruments payable to  the Trust or
     to  its order and shall deposit all funds of the Trust as may be ordered by
     the Trustees or the President.   The Treasurer shall keep  accurate account
     of the books of  the Trust's  transactions which shall  be the property  of

                                          3
<PAGE>






     the  Trust, and which together with all other  property of the Trust in his
     possession, shall be subject at all times to  the inspection and control of
     the  Trustees.    Unless  the  Trustees   shall  otherwise  determine,  the
     Treasurer shall be the principal accounting officer  of the Trust and shall
     also be the principal financial officer of the  Trust.  The Treasurer shall
     have such other duties and authorities as  the Trustees shall from time  to
     time  determine.     Notwithstanding  anything   to  the  contrary   herein
     contained,  the  Trustees  may authorize  the  Investment  Adviser  or  the
     Administrator to maintain bank accounts  and deposit and disburse  funds on
     behalf of the Trust.

                      Section  2.8.  Other  Officers and  Duties.   The Trustees
     may  elect such other  officers and assistant  officers as  they shall from
     time to  time determine to  be necessary or  desirable in order to  conduct
     the business of the Trust.  Assistant  officers shall act generally in  the
     absence of the  officer whom they assist  and shall assist that  officer in
     the duties of  his office.  Each  officer, employee and agent of  the Trust
     shall have such other duties and authorities  as may be conferred upon  him
     by the Trustees or delegated to him by the President.

                                     ARTICLE III

                                    Miscellaneous

                      Section 3.1.  Depositories.  The funds of  the Trust shall
     be  deposited in  such  depositories as  the  Trustees shall  designate and
     shall be  drawn  out on  checks,  drafts or  other  orders signed  by  such
     officer,  officers, agent or  agents (including  the Investment  Adviser or
     the Administrator) as the Trustees may from time to time authorize.

                      Section  3.2.  Signatures.    All   contracts  and   other
     instruments  shall  be executed  on behalf  of the  Trust by  such officer,
     officers, agent or agents as provided in  these By-Laws or as the  Trustees
     may from time to time by resolution provide.

                      Section 3.3.  Seal.   The seal  of the Trust,  if any, may
     be  affixed  to any  document,  and the  seal  and its  attestation  may be
     lithographed, engraved or otherwise printed  on any document with  the same
     force and effect  as if it had been imprinted  and attested manually in the
     same manner and with the same effect as if done by a New York corporation.

                      Section    3.4.  Indemnification.       Insofar   as   the
     conditional advancing of  indemnification monies under Section  5.4 of  the
     Declaration  for actions  based upon  the 1940  Act may  be concerned, such
     payments will be made  only on the  following conditions: (i) the  advances
     must  be limited  to amounts used,  or to  be used, for  the preparation or
     presentation of a  defense to the  action, including  costs connected  with
     the  preparation of  a settlement;  (ii)  advances may  be  made only  upon
     receipt of  a written promise by,  or on behalf of,  the recipient to repay
     the  amount  of the  advance  which  exceeds  the  amount to  which  it  is
     ultimately  determined that he  is entitled  to receive  from the  Trust by
     reason of indemnification; and (iii) (a) such promise must be secured by  a

                                          4
<PAGE>






     surety bond, other  suitable insurance or  an equivalent  form of  security
     which  assures that  any repayment  may be  obtained  by the  Trust without
     delay or  litigation, which bond, insurance or other  form of security must
     be provided by the recipient of the advance, or (b) a majority of  a quorum
     of the  Trust's disinterested, non-party Trustees,  or an independent legal
     counsel in  a written  opinion,  shall determine,  based upon  a review  of
     readily available facts,  that the recipient of the advance ultimately will
     be found entitled to indemnification.

                      Section  3.5.  Distribution  Disbursing  Agents  and   the
     Like.   The Trustees  shall have the  power to  employ and compensate  such
     distribution  disbursing  agents,   warrant  agents  and  agents   for  the
     reinvestment  of distributions  as they shall  deem necessary or desirable.
     Any  of such agents shall have such power  and authority as is delegated to
     any of them by the Trustees.

                                     ARTICLE IV

                          Regulations; Amendment of By-Laws

                      Section 4.1.  Regulations.    The Trustees  may make  such
     additional rules and regulations,  not inconsistent with these By-Laws,  as
     they may deem expedient  concerning the sale  and purchase of Interests  of
     the Trust.

                      Section  4.2.  Amendment  and  Repeal  of  By-Laws.     In
     accordance with Section  2.7 of the  Declaration, the  Trustees shall  have
     the  power to alter,  amend or repeal the  By-Laws or adopt  new By-Laws at
     any  time.  Action  by the Trustees  with respect  to the By-Laws  shall be
     taken by an affirmative  vote of a majority of the Trustees.   The Trustees
     shall  in  no  event   adopt  By-Laws  which  are  in  conflict   with  the
     Declaration.

                      The Declaration  refers to the  Trustees as Trustees,  but
     not as  individuals or  personally; and  no Trustee,  officer, employee  or
     agent of  the Trust  shall be  held to  any personal  liability, nor  shall
     resort  be had  to  their  private property  for  the satisfaction  of  any
     obligation or  claim or  otherwise in  connection with  the affairs of  the
     Trust.














                                          5
<PAGE>




                                TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO

                            INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT


              AGREEMENT  made this  28th  day of  October, 1993,  between  Total
     Return Portfolio, a  New York trust  (the "Trust"),  and Boston  Management
     and Research, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Adviser").

              1.      Duties  of  the Adviser.    The Trust  hereby  employs the
     Adviser to act as  investment adviser for and to manage the  investment and
     reinvestment of the  assets of  the Trust  and to  administer its  affairs,
     subject to the supervision  of the  Trustees of the  Trust, for the  period
     and on the terms set forth in this Agreement.

              The  Adviser hereby  accepts  such employment,  and  undertakes to
     afford  to   the  Trust  the   advice  and  assistance   of  the  Adviser's
     organization in the choice of investments and  in the purchase and sale  of
     securities for  the Trust and  to furnish for  the use of  the Trust office
     space and  all necessary  office facilities,  equipment  and personnel  for
     servicing the  investments of the  Trust and for  administering its affairs
     and  to pay the salaries and fees of all officers and Trustees of the Trust
     who are members  of the  Adviser's organization  and all  personnel of  the
     Adviser   performing  services   relating   to  research   and   investment
     activities.  The Adviser  shall for all purposes herein be deemed  to be an
     independent contractor  and shall, except  as otherwise expressly  provided
     or  authorized, have no authority to act for  or represent the Trust in any
     way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust.

              The  Adviser   shall  provide  the  Trust   with  such  investment
     management and  supervision as  the Trust  may from time  to time  consider
     necessary for the proper supervision  of the Trust.  As investment  adviser
     to the Trust,  the Adviser shall furnish continuously an investment program
     and  shall  determine  from  time   to  time  what  securities   and  other
     investments shall  be acquired, disposed  of or exchanged  and what portion
     of  the Trust's  assets shall  be held  uninvested, subject  always  to the
     applicable  restrictions   of  the  Declaration   of  Trust,  By-Laws   and
     registration statement of  the Trust under  the Investment  Company Act  of
     1940, all  as from time to time amended.   Should the Trustees of the Trust
     at any  time, however,  make any  specific determination  as to  investment
     policy  for  the Trust  and  notify the  Adviser  thereof  in writing,  the
     Adviser  shall be  bound by  such  determination for  the  period, if  any,
     specified  in   such  notice   or  until  similarly   notified  that   such
     determination has been revoked.   The Adviser shall take, on behalf  of the
     Trust, all actions which  it deems necessary or desirable  to implement the
     investment policies of the Trust.

              The Adviser  shall place  all orders for  the purchase  or sale of
     portfolio securities for the account of the Trust either  directly with the
     issuer or with brokers  or dealers selected by the Adviser, and to that end
     the Adviser is  authorized as the agent  of the Trust to  give instructions
     to the custodian  of the Trust as to  deliveries of securities and payments
     of cash for the account of the Trust.  In connection with the  selection of
     such brokers or dealers and the placing  of such orders, the Adviser  shall
<PAGE>






     use its  best efforts to  seek to  execute security transactions  at prices
     which  are advantageous to  the Trust and  (when a  disclosed commission is
     being charged)  at reasonably competitive  commission rates.  In  selecting
     brokers or dealers qualified  to execute a particular transaction,  brokers
     or dealers  may  be  selected  who  also  provide  brokerage  and  research
     services  (as those terms  are defined  in Section 28(e)  of the Securities
     Exchange  Act  of  1934)  to  the  Adviser  and  the  Adviser  is expressly
     authorized  to pay  any broker or  dealer who  provides such  brokerage and
     research  services a commission for  executing a security transaction which
     is in excess of  the amount  of commission another  broker or dealer  would
     have charged  for effecting that  transaction if the  Adviser determines in
     good faith that such  amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the
     value  of the brokerage  and research services  provided by  such broker or
     dealer, viewed  in  terms of  either  that  particular transaction  or  the
     overall responsibilities  which the Adviser  and its  affiliates have  with
     respect  to  accounts  over  which  they  exercise  investment  discretion.
     Subject  to the  requirement  set  forth in  the  second  sentence of  this
     paragraph,  the Adviser  is  authorized to  consider,  as a  factor in  the
     selection of any broker or  dealer with whom purchase or sale orders may be
     placed, the fact that such  broker or dealer has sold or is  selling shares
     of  any one or  more investment companies sponsored  by the  Adviser or its
     affiliates  or shares  of  any other  investment  company investing  in the
     Trust.

              2.      Compensation of the  Adviser.  For the  services, payments
     and facilities to be furnished hereunder by  the Adviser, the Adviser shall
     be entitled to  receive from the Trust  compensation in an amount  equal to
     the following of the average daily net assets of the Trust throughout  each
     month:


              Average Daily Net Assets for the Month    Annual Asset Rate
              --------------------------------------    -----------------

              up to $500 million                        0.7500%
              $500 million but less than $1 billion     0.6875%
              $1 billion but less than $1.5 billion     0.6250%
              $1.5 billion but less than $2 billion     0.5625%
              $2 billion but less than $3 billion       0.5000%
              $3 billion and over                       0.4375%


     Such  compensation shall  be paid monthly  in arrears on  the last business
     day of  each month.   The  Trust's daily  net assets  shall be  computed in
     accordance with the Declaration  of Trust of  the Trust and any  applicable
     votes and determinations of the Trustees of the Trust.

              In case of  initiation or termination of the Agreement  during any
     month with respect to the Trust,  the fee for that month shall be based  on
     the number of calendar days during which it is in effect.

              The Adviser may,  from time to time,  waive all or  a part of  the

                                          2
<PAGE>






     above compensation.

              3.      Allocation  of Charges  and Expenses.    It is  understood
     that the Trust  will pay all expenses other  than those expressly stated to
     be  payable by the  Adviser hereunder, which expenses  payable by the Trust
     shall include,  without implied limitation, (i) expenses of maintaining the
     Trust and  continuing its existence,  (ii) registration of  the Trust under
     the  Investment Company  Act  of 1940,  (iii)  commissions, fees  and other
     expenses  connected  with  the  acquisition,  holding  and  disposition  of
     securities  and other  investments,  (iv)  auditing, accounting  and  legal
     expenses, (v)  taxes and interest, (vi)  governmental fees,  (vii) expenses
     of issue, sale, and  redemption of Interests in the  Trust, (viii) expenses
     of registering  and qualifying the Trust  and Interests in  the Trust under
     federal  and  state   securities  laws   and  of  preparing   and  printing
     registration statements  or other offering statements or memoranda for such
     purposes  and for distributing the same  to Holders and investors, and fees
     and expenses of  registering and maintaining registrations of the Trust and
     of the  Trust's  placement agent  as  broker-dealer  or agent  under  state
     securities laws,  (ix) expenses of  reports and notices  to Holders  and of
     meetings  of Holders  and  proxy solicitations  therefor,  (x) expenses  of
     reports to governmental officers and commissions,  (xi) insurance expenses,
     (xii) association membership dues, (xiii) fees,  expenses and disbursements
     of custodians  and subcustodians for  all services to  the Trust (including
     without limitation safekeeping of funds, securities  and other investments,
     keeping of  books, accounts  and records,  and determination  of net  asset
     values, book  capital account balances  and tax capital account  balances),
     (xiv)  fees,  expenses  and  disbursements  of  transfer  agents,  dividend
     disbursing  agents, Holder servicing agents and registrars for all services
     to  the Trust, (xv) expenses  for servicing the  accounts of Holders, (xvi)
     any direct  charges  to Holders  approved  by the  Trustees  of the  Trust,
     (xvii)  compensation and  expenses of  Trustees of  the Trust  who are  not
     members  of the  Adviser's  organization,  and (xviii)  such  non-recurring
     items  as  may  arise,  including  expenses  incurred  in  connection  with
     litigation,  proceedings and  claims  and the  obligation  of the  Trust to
     indemnify its Trustees, officers and Holders with respect thereto.

              4.      Other  Interests.   It  is  understood that  Trustees  and
     officers of the Trust  and Holders of Interests in the Trust are  or may be
     or become interested  in the Adviser as trustees, shareholders or otherwise
     and that trustees,  officers and shareholders of the  Adviser are or may be
     or become similarly  interested in the Trust,  and that the Adviser  may be
     or become  interested in the  Trust as  Holder or  otherwise.   It is  also
     understood  that trustees,  officers,  employees  and shareholders  of  the
     Adviser  may be  or become  interested (as  directors, trustees,  officers,
     employees,  shareholders  or  otherwise) in  other  companies  or  entities
     (including,  without  limitation,  other  investment  companies)  which the
     Adviser may  organize, sponsor or  acquire, or with  which it may merge  or
     consolidate,  and which  may  include the  words  "Eaton Vance"  or "Boston
     Management and Research" or any combination thereof as part  of their name,
     and that  the Adviser  or  its subsidiaries  or affiliates  may enter  into
     advisory or  management agreements or other contracts or relationships with
     such other companies or entities.

                                          3
<PAGE>






              5.      Limitation of Liability  of the Adviser.   The services of
     the Adviser to the Trust  are not to be deemed to be exclusive, the Adviser
     being  free to  render  services to  others  and engage  in  other business
     activities.   In  the absence  of  willful  misfeasance, bad  faith,  gross
     negligence or reckless  disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the
     part of the Adviser, the Adviser shall  not be subject to liability to  the
     Trust  or to any Holder  of Interests in the Trust  for any act or omission
     in the course  of, or connected with,  rendering services hereunder  or for
     any  losses  which   may  be  sustained  in  the  acquisition,  holding  or
     disposition of any security or other investment.

              6.      Sub-Investment Advisers.   The Adviser  may employ one  or
     more sub-investment advisers from time to time to perform such of the  acts
     and services of the Adviser,  including the selection of brokers or dealers
     to execute  the  Trust's portfolio  security  transactions, and  upon  such
     terms and conditions as  may be  agreed upon between  the Adviser and  such
     investment adviser and approved by the Trustees of the Trust.

              7.      Duration  and  Termination   of  this  Agreement.     This
     Agreement  shall become  effective  upon the  date  of its  execution, and,
     unless terminated  as  herein provided,  shall  remain  in full  force  and
     effect through  and including February 28, 1995  and shall continue in full
     force and  effect  indefinitely  thereafter,  but  only  so  long  as  such
     continuance after  February  28, 1995  is  specifically approved  at  least
     annually  (i)  by the  Board  of Trustees  of  the Trust  or by  vote  of a
     majority of the outstanding voting securities of the  Trust and (ii) by the
     vote of a majority  of those Trustees of the  Trust who are not  interested
     persons of the Adviser or the Trust cast in person at  a meeting called for
     the purpose of voting on such approval.

              Either party  hereto may,  at any time  on sixty  (60) days' prior
     written notice to the other,  terminate this Agreement without  the payment
     of any penalty, by action of  Trustees of the Trust or the  trustees of the
     Adviser, as  the case may  be, and  the Trust  may, at any  time upon  such
     written  notice  to the  Adviser,  terminate this  Agreement  by vote  of a
     majority  of  the  outstanding  voting  securities  of  the  Trust.    This
     Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

              8.      Amendments  of  the  Agreement.   This  Agreement  may  be
     amended  by a  writing  signed by  both  parties hereto,  provided that  no
     amendment to this  Agreement shall be effective  until approved (i)  by the
     vote  of a majority of those  Trustees of the Trust  who are not interested
     persons  of the Adviser or the Trust cast in person at a meeting called for
     the purpose of voting on such approval, and  (ii) by vote of a majority  of
     the outstanding voting securities of the Trust.

              9.      Limitation   of   Liability.     The   Adviser   expressly
     acknowledges  the  provision in  the  Declaration  of  Trust  of the  Trust
     (Sections 5.2 and 5.6) limiting the personal liability of  the Trustees and
     officers of  the Trust, and  the Adviser hereby  agrees that it shall  have
     recourse to the Trust for payment of  claims or obligations as between  the
     Trust  and the Adviser  arising out  of this  Agreement and shall  not seek

                                          4
<PAGE>






     satisfaction from any Trustee or officer of the Trust.

              10.     Certain  Definitions.      The  terms   "assignment"   and
     "interested  persons" when  used herein shall  have the respective meanings
     specified  in the Investment  Company Act  of 1940 as  now in  effect or as
     hereafter amended  subject, however, to  such exemptions as  may be granted
     by the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  by  any rule,  regulation  or
     order.  The term "vote of a majority  of the outstanding voting securities"
     shall  mean the vote, at a meeting of Holders,  of the lesser of (a) 67 per
     centum  or more of  the Interests  in the  Trust present or  represented by
     proxy  at the meeting  if the  Holders of  more than 50  per centum  of the
     outstanding Interests in the  Trust are present or represented  by proxy at
     the meeting, or  (b) more than 50  per centum of the  outstanding Interests
     in the Trust.   The terms "Holders" and "Interests" when used  herein shall
     have the respective meanings  specified in the Declaration of Trust  of the
     Trust.

              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto  have caused this Agreement
     to be executed on the day and year first above written.


     TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO


     By:  /s/M. Dozier Gardner
        ----------------------------
              President

     BOSTON MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH


     By: /s/Curtis H. Jones
         ---------------------------
         Vice President,
          and not individually


















                                          5
<PAGE>





                              PLACEMENT AGENT AGREEMENT


                                                        October 28, 1993


     Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.
     24 Federal Street
     Boston, Massachusetts  02110

     Gentlemen:

              This  is  to  confirm that,  in  consideration  of  the agreements
     hereinafter  contained,  the  undersigned,  Total  Return  Portfolio   (the
     "Trust"), an open-end diversified management  investment company registered
     under the  Investment Company  Act of  1940, as  amended (the "1940  Act"),
     organized as a  New York trust,  has agreed that Eaton  Vance Distributors,
     Inc. ("EVD")  shall  be the  placement  agent  (the "Placement  Agent")  of
     Interests in the Trust ("Trust Interests").

     1.  Services as Placement Agent.

              1.1   EVD  will  act as  Placement Agent  of  the Trust  Interests
     covered by  the Trust's  registration statement  then in  effect under  the
     1940 Act.    In  acting  as Placement  Agent  under  this  Placement  Agent
     Agreement, neither EVD nor  its employees or any agents thereof  shall make
     any offer or sale  of Trust Interests in a  manner which would require  the
     Trust Interests  to be  registered  under the  Securities Act  of 1933,  as
     amended (the "1933 Act").

              1.2    All activities  by  EVD  and its  agents  and  employees as
     Placement Agent of Trust Interests  shall comply with all  applicable laws,
     rules  and  regulations,  including,  without  limitation,  all  rules  and
     regulations adopted  pursuant  to  the  1940  Act  by  the  Securities  and
     Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). 

              1.3   Nothing herein  shall be construed  to require  the Trust to
     accept any  offer to purchase  any Trust Interests,  all of which shall  be
     subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.

              1.4   The Portfolio  shall furnish  from time  to time for  use in
     connection with the sale of  Trust Interests such information  with respect
     to the Trust and Trust Interests as EVD may  reasonably request.  The Trust
     shall  also  furnish  EVD  upon  request  with:  (a)  unaudited  semiannual
     statements of  the Trust's books  and accounts  prepared by the  Trust, and
     (b) from time  to time such  additional information  regarding the  Trust's
     financial or regulatory condition as EVD may reasonably request.

              1.5  The Trust represents to EVD that all registration  statements
     filed by the Trust with the  Commission under the 1940 Act with  respect to
     Trust Interests have been prepared  in conformity with the  requirements of
     such statute  and the rules  and regulations of  the Commission thereunder.
     As used in this Agreement the term  "registration statement" shall mean any
     registration  statement  filed  with  the  Commission as  modified  by  any
<PAGE>






     amendments  thereto that  at  any  time  shall  have been  filed  with  the
     Commission  by or  on  behalf  of the  Trust.    The Trust  represents  and
     warrants  to  EVD   that  any  registration  statement  will   contain  all
     statements  required to  be  stated therein  in  conformity with  both such
     statute  and  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Commission;  that  all
     statements of fact  contained in any  registration statement  will be  true
     and  correct in  all  material  respects at  the  time  of filing  of  such
     registration  statement or  amendment  thereto;  and that  no  registration
     statement will include  an untrue statement of  a material fact or  omit to
     state a material  fact required to be  stated therein or necessary  to make
     the statements  therein not misleading  to a purchaser  of Trust Interests.
     The Trust may  but shall not be obligated to propose from time to time such
     amendment  to  any  registration  statement  as  in  the  light  of  future
     developments may, in the  opinion of the Trust's  counsel, be necessary  or
     advisable.    If   the  Trust  shall  not  propose  such  amendment  and/or
     supplement within  fifteen days  after receipt  by the  Trust of a  written
     request  from  EVD to  do  so,  EVD  may,  at its  option,  terminate  this
     Agreement.   The Trust  shall not  file any  amendment to  any registration
     statement  without  giving  EVD  reasonable  notice   thereof  in  advance;
     provided, however,  that nothing contained  in this Agreement  shall in any
     way  limit the Trust's  right to  file at  any time  such amendment  to any
     registration statement  as the Trust  may deem advisable,  such right being
     in all respects absolute and unconditional.

              1.6   The  Trust agrees  to  indemnify, defend  and hold  EVD, its
     several officers and directors, and any person  who controls EVD within the
     meaning of  Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section  20 of the Securities and
     Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") (for purposes of this paragraph  1.6,
     collectively,  "Covered Persons")  free and harmless  from and  against any
     and all  claims, demands, liabilities  and expenses (including  the cost of
     investigating  or  defending such  claims, demands  or liabilities  and any
     counsel fees incurred  in connection  therewith) which  any Covered  Person
     may  incur under  the  1933 Act,  the 1934  Act,  common law  or otherwise,
     arising  out of  or  based  on any  untrue  statement  of a  material  fact
     contained in  any registration statement,  private placement memorandum  or
     other offering  material ("Offering Material")  or arising out  of or based
     on  any omission  to state a  material fact  required to  be stated  in any
     Offering  Material or  necessary  to make  the  statements in  any Offering
     Material not misleading;  provided, however, that the Trust's  agreement to
     indemnify Covered  Persons  shall  not  be  deemed  to  cover  any  claims,
     demands, liabilities or  expenses arising out  of any  financial and  other
     statements as are  furnished in writing to the Trust by EVD in its capacity
     as Placement Agent for use in the answers to  any items of any registration
     statement or  in any statements  made in any Offering  Material, or arising
     out of  or based on  any omission or  alleged omission to  state a material
     fact  in connection  with the  giving of  such  information required  to be
     stated in such  answers or necessary  to make the  answers not  misleading;
     and further  provided that the Trust's  agreement to indemnify EVD  and the
     Trust's  representations and  warranties  hereinbefore  set forth  in  this
     paragraph 1.6  shall not be deemed to  cover any liability to  the Trust or
     its investors  to which  a Covered  Person  would otherwise  be subject  by
     reason  of  willful misfeasance,  bad  faith  or  gross  negligence in  the

                                          2
<PAGE>






     performance of its  duties, or  by reason  of a  Covered Person's  reckless
     disregard of  its obligations and duties  under this Agreement.   The Trust
     should be notified  of any action  brought against a  Covered Person,  such
     notification to be  given by a writing  addressed to the Trust,  24 Federal
     Street Boston,  Massachusetts 02110,   with a  copy to  the Adviser of  the
     Trust, Boston Management  and Research, at the same address, promptly after
     the  summons  or  other  first  legal  process  shall  have  been  duly and
     completely served upon such  Covered Person.  The failure to so  notify the
     Trust  of any such  action shall not relieve  the Trust  from any liability
     except to the extent the Trust shall have been prejudiced by such  failure,
     or  from any  liability  that the  Trust  may have  to  the Covered  Person
     against whom such action  is brought by reason of any such untrue statement
     or omission, otherwise than on  account of the Trust's  indemnity agreement
     contained in  this paragraph.   The Trust  will be  entitled to assume  the
     defense  of  any  suit  brought  to  enforce  any  such  claim,  demand  or
     liability, but in  such case such defense shall  be conducted by counsel of
     good standing  chosen by  the  Trust and  approved by  EVD, which  approval
     shall not  be unreasonably  withheld.   In the  event the  Trust elects  to
     assume the defense of  any such  suit and retain  counsel of good  standing
     approved by EVD,  the defendant or defendants  in such suit shall  bear the
     fees and expenses  of any additional counsel  retained by any of  them; but
     in case the Trust does not elect to assume the defense  of any such suit or
     in case  EVD reasonably does  not approve of  counsel chosen by the  Trust,
     the Trust  will reimburse the  Covered Person  named as  defendant in  such
     suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by  EVD or it.  The
     Trust's  indemnification agreement  contained  in  this paragraph  and  the
     Trust's  representations and  warranties  in  this Agreement  shall  remain
     operative and  in full  force and  effect regardless  of any  investigation
     made by or  on behalf of Covered Persons, and shall survive the delivery of
     any Trust  Interests.  This  agreement of indemnity  will inure exclusively
     to Covered Persons  and their successors.   The Trust agrees to  notify EVD
     promptly of the commencement of  any litigation or proceedings  against the
     Trust or any of its  officers or Trustees in connection with the  issue and
     sale of any Trust Interests.

              1.7   EVD  agrees to  indemnify,  defend and  hold the  Trust, its
     several officers  and  trustees, and  any  person  who controls  the  Trust
     within  the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934
     Act (for purposes  of this paragraph 1.7, collectively,  "Covered Persons")
     free  and  harmless  from  and   against  any  and  all   claims,  demands,
     liabilities  and  expenses   (including  the  costs  of   investigating  or
     defending such claims, demands,  liabilities and any counsel  fees incurred
     in connection  therewith) that  Covered Persons  may incur  under the  1933
     Act, the 1934 Act or common law or  otherwise, but only to the extent  that
     such  liability or expense incurred by a Covered Person resulting from such
     claims or demands shall  arise out of or  be based on any untrue  statement
     of a material fact contained in information furnished  in writing by EVD in
     its capacity as Placement Agent to the  Trust for use in the answers to any
     of  the items of  any registration  statement or  in any statements  in any
     other Offering Material or shall arise  out of or be based on  any omission
     to state a material fact  in connection with such information  furnished in
     writing  by EVD  to the  Trust  required to  be stated  in such  answers or

                                          3
<PAGE>






     necessary to make such  information not misleading.  EVD  shall be notified
     of  any action brought  against a Covered  Person, such  notification to be
     given  by  a writing  addressed  to  EVD  at  24  Federal  Street,  Boston,
     Massachusetts  02110,  promptly  after the  summons  or  other first  legal
     process shall  have  been duly  and  completely  served upon  such  Covered
     Person.   EVD shall have the  right of first control of  the defense of the
     action with counsel  of its own choosing satisfactory  to the Trust if such
     action is based  solely on such alleged  misstatement or omission  on EVD's
     part,  and in any other  event each Covered Person shall  have the right to
     participate  in  the defense  or preparation  of  the defense  of  any such
     action.  The failure to so notify EVD of any such action shall  not relieve
     EVD from  any liability  except to  the extent  the Trust  shall have  been
     prejudiced  by such failure,  or from  any liability  that EVD may  have to
     Covered Persons  by reason of any such untrue  or alleged untrue statement,
     or  omission  or alleged  omission,  otherwise  than  on  account of  EVD's
     indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph.

              1.8   No Trust  Interests shall be  offered by either  EVD or  the
     Trust under any of the provisions of  this Agreement and no orders for  the
     purchase or  sale of  Trust Interests  hereunder shall be  accepted by  the
     Trust if and so  long as the effectiveness of the registration statement or
     any necessary  amendments  thereto shall  be  suspended  under any  of  the
     provisions  of  the 1933 Act  or  the  1940  Act;  provided, however,  that
     nothing contained in  this paragraph shall in  any way restrict or  have an
     application  to  or bearing  on  the  Trust's  obligation  to redeem  Trust
     Interests from  any  investor in  accordance  with  the provisions  of  the
     Trust's registration  statement or  Declaration of  Trust, as  amended from
     time to time.

              1.9   The  Trust  agrees  to  advise EVD  as  soon  as  reasonably
     practical by a notice in writing delivered to EVD or its counsel:

              (a)    of any  request by  the  Commission for  amendments  to the
     registration statement then in effect or for additional information;

              (b)  in the event  of the issuance by  the Commission of any  stop
     order suspending the effectiveness  of the  registration statement then  in
     effect  or the  initiation  by  service of  process  on  the Trust  of  any
     proceeding for that purpose;

              (c)    of  the  happening of  any  event  that  makes  untrue  any
     statement of  a material fact  made in the  registration statement then  in
     effect  or  that requires  the  making  of a  change  in such  registration
     statement in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and

              (d)    of  all action  of  the  Commission  with  respect  to  any
     amendment  to any  registration statement  that may  from time  to  time be
     filed with the Commission.

              For purposes of  this paragraph 1.9, informal requests by  or acts
     of the Staff of  the Commission shall not be deemed actions  of or requests
     by the Commission.

                                          4
<PAGE>






              1.10   EVD agrees on behalf  of itself and its  employees to treat
     confidentially and as  proprietary information of the Trust all records and
     other information  not otherwise publicly  available relative to the  Trust
     and its prior,  present or potential investors and  not to use such records
     and   information  for   any   purpose  other   than  performance   of  its
     responsibilities and duties  hereunder, except after prior  notification to
     and  approval  in  writing  by  the  Trust,  which  approval  shall  not be
     unreasonably withheld and may  not be withheld where EVD may be  exposed to
     civil  or  criminal  contempt  proceedings  for  failure  to  comply,  when
     requested to divulge  such information by duly  constituted authorities, or
     when so requested by the Trust.

              2.  Duration and Termination of this Agreement.

              This  Agreement  shall become  effective  upon  the  date  of  its
     execution, and, unless  terminated as herein provided, shall remain in full
     force and  effect  through  and  including  February  28,  1994  and  shall
     continue in  full force  and effect  indefinitely thereafter,  but only  so
     long as such continuance after  February 28, 1994 is  specifically approved
     at least annually (i)  by the Board of Trustees of the  Trust or by vote of
     a majority of  the outstanding voting securities  of the Trust and  (ii) by
     the vote  of  a  majority of  those  Trustees  of the  Trust  who  are  not
     interested  persons of EVD or the Trust  cast in person at a meeting called
     for the purpose of voting on such approval.

              Either party  hereto may,  at any time  on sixty  (60) days' prior
     written notice to the other,  terminate this agreement without  the payment
     of any  penalty, by  action of Trustees  of the  Trust or the  Directors of
     EVD, as the case  may be, and the Trust may, at  any time upon such written
     notice  to EVD,  terminate  this Agreement  by vote  of  a majority  of the
     outstanding  voting  securities  of  the  Trust.     This  Agreement  shall
     terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

              3.  Representations and Warranties.

              EVD and  the Trust  each  hereby represents  and warrants  to  the
     other that it has  all requisite authority to enter into,  execute, deliver
     and perform its obligations under this Agreement and that,  with respect to
     it, this  Agreement  is  legal,  valid  and  binding,  and  enforceable  in
     accordance with its terms.

              4.  Limitation of Liability.

              EVD  expressly acknowledges  the provision  in the  Declaration of
     Trust of the Trust  (Sections 5.2 and 5.6) limiting  the personal liability
     of the Trustees and  officers of the Trust,  and EVD hereby agrees that  it
     shall have recourse  to the Trust for  payment of claims or  obligations as
     between the Trust and EVD arising out  of this Agreement and shall not seek
     satisfaction from any Trustee or officer of the Trust.

              5.  Certain Definitions.


                                          5
<PAGE>






              The terms  "assignment" and "interested persons"  when used herein
     shall have the  respective meanings specified in the Investment Company Act
     of 1940 as  now in effect or as hereafter amended subject, however, to such
     exemptions as may be  granted by the Securities and Exchange  Commission by
     any  rule,  regulation or  order.   The  term "vote  of  a majority  of the
     outstanding  voting  securities" shall  mean  the  vote,  at  a meeting  of
     Holders,  of the lesser  of (a) 67 per  centum or more of  the Interests in
     the Trust  present or represented by proxy at the meeting if the Holders of
     more than  50 per  centum of  the outstanding  Interests in  the Trust  are
     present or  represented by proxy  at the meeting, or  (b) more than  50 per
     centum of the outstanding Interests in the Trust.   The terms "Holders" and
     "Interests" when used  herein shall have the respective  meanings specified
     in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust.

              6.  Concerning Applicable Provisions of Law, etc.

              This Agreement  shall be subject  to all  applicable provisions of
     law, including the applicable  provisions of the 1940 Act and to the extent
     that any  provisions herein  contained  conflict with  any such  applicable
     provisions of law, the latter shall control.

              The laws of  the Commonwealth  of Massachusetts  shall, except  to
     the  extent  that  any  applicable  provisions  of  federal  law  shall  be
     controlling,  govern  the   construction,  validity  and  effect   of  this
     Agreement, without reference to principles of conflicts of law.

              If the contract set forth  herein is acceptable to you,  please so
     indicate by executing  the enclosed copy  of this  Agreement and  returning
     the same  to the undersigned,  whereupon this Agreement  shall constitute a
     binding contract between  the parties hereto  effective at  the closing  of
     business on the date hereof.


                                       Yours very truly,

                                       TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO


                                       By:  /s/ M. Dozier Gardner         
                                          -------------------------
                                                 President

     Accepted:

     EATON VANCE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.


     By:  /s/ H. Day Brigham, Jr.        
         ---------------------------
               Vice President



                                          6
<PAGE>









                                TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO




                                                        October 28, 1993




     Total Return Portfolio  hereby adopts and agrees  to become a party  to the
     attached Master Custodian Agreement between the  Eaton Vance Hub Portfolios
     and Investors Bank & Trust Company.


                                       TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO




                                       BY: /s/ M. Dozier Gardner
                                          ---------------------------
                                            President



     Accepted and agreed to:

     INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY



     BY: /s/ Henrey M. Joyce          
        -----------------------------  
        Title: Vice President
<PAGE>






                              MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

                                       between

                             EATON VANCE HUB PORTFOLIOS

                                         and

                            INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
<PAGE>






                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

     1.       Definitions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1-3

     2.       Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It  . . . .   3

     3.       Duties of the Custodian with Respect to
              Property of the Trust  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4

              A.  Safekeeping and Holding of Property  . . . . . . . . . . .   4

              B.  Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4-7

              C.  Registration of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7

              D.  Bank Accounts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8

              E.  Payments for Interests, or Increases in Interests,
                    in the Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8

              F.  Investment and Availability of Federal Funds . . . . . . .   8

              G.  Collections  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8-9

              H.  Payment of Trust Monies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10-11

              I.  Liability for Payment in Advance of
                  Receipt of Securities Purchased  . . . . . . . . . . .   11-12

              J.  Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions
                  of Interests of the Trust  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12

              K.  Appointment of Agents by the Custodian . . . . . . . . . .  12

              L.  Deposit of Trust Portfolio Securities in Securities
                    Systems  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12-14

              M.  Deposit of Trust Commercial Paper in an Approved
                    Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper . . . . . . .   15-17

              N.  Segregated Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17

              O.  Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes  . . . . . . . . .  18

              P.  Proxies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18

              Q.  Communications Relating to Trust Portfolio   . . . . . . .  18
                    Securities





                                         -i-
<PAGE>







              R.  Exercise of Rights; Tender Offers  . . . . . . . . . .   18-19

              S.  Depository Receipts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19

              T.  Interest Bearing Call or Time Deposits . . . . . . . . . .  20

              U.  Options, Futures Contracts and Foreign
                    Currency Transactions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   20-22

              V.  Actions Permitted Without Express Authority  . . . . . . .  22

      4.      Duties of Bank with Respect to Books of Account and
              Calculations of Net Asset Value  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   22-23

      5.      Records and Miscellaneous Duties . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23-24

      6.      Opinion of Trust's Independent Public Accountants  . . . . . .  24

      7.      Compensation and Expenses of Bank  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24

      8.      Responsibility of Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   24-25

      9.      Persons Having Access to Assets of the Trust . . . . . . .   25-26

     10.      Effective Period, Termination and Amendment;
              Successor Custodian  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   26-27

     11.      Interpretive and Additional Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . .  27

     12.      Notices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27

     13.      Massachusetts Law to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27

     14.      Adoption of the Agreement by the Trust . . . . . . . . . . . .  28

















                                         -ii-
<PAGE>






                              MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT


              This Agreement is made between  each investment company advised by
     Boston Management  and Research  which has  adopted this  Agreement in  the
     manner  provided herein  and Investors  Bank  & Trust  Company (hereinafter
     called "Bank", "Custodian" and  "Agent"), a trust company established under
     the laws  of Massachusetts with  a principal place  of business  in Boston,
     Massachusetts.

              Whereas,  each such  investment  company is  registered  under the
     Investment Company  Act  of 1940  and  has appointed  the  Bank to  act  as
     Custodian of its  property and to perform  certain duties as its  Agent, as
     more fully hereinafter set forth; and

              Whereas, the  Bank  is  willing  and able  to  act  as  each  such
     investment  company's Custodian  and Agent,  subject to  and in  accordance
     with the provisions hereof;

              Now,  therefore,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  of the
     mutual  covenants and  agreements herein  contained,  each such  investment
     company and the Bank agree as follows:

     1.       Definitions

              Whenever used in this  Agreement, the following words and phrases,
     unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:

              (a) "Trust" shall  mean the  investment company which  has adopted
     this Agreement.

              (b) "Board" shall mean the board of trustees of the Trust.

              (c) "The Depository Trust Company",  a clearing agency  registered
     with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  under  Section 17A  of  the
     Securities Exchange  Act of 1934 which acts as  a securities depository and
     which has been  specifically approved as  a securities  depository for  the
     Trust by the Board.

              (d) "Participants  Trust  Company", a  clearing  agency registered
     with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  under  Section 17A  of  the
     Securities Exchange Act of  1934 which acts as a securities  depository and
     which has been  specifically approved as  a securities  depository for  the
     Trust by the Board.

              (e) "Approved Clearing  Agency"  shall  mean  any  other  domestic
     clearing  agency registered  with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission
     under  Section 17A of the  Securities Exchange Act of 1934  which acts as a
     securities depository  but only if  the Custodian has  received a certified
     copy of  a resolution  of the  Board approving  such clearing  agency as  a
     securities depository for the Trust.

              (f) "Federal Book-Entry System"  shall mean the  book-entry system
     referred to in Rule 17f-4(b) under the  Investment Company Act of 1940  for
<PAGE>






     United States and federal agency  securities (i.e., as provided  in Subpart
     O of Treasury Circular  No. 300, 31 CFR 306, Subpart B  of 31 CFR Part 350,
     and the  book-entry regulations  of federal  agencies substantially in  the
     form of Subpart O).

              (g) "Approved Foreign  Securities Depository" shall mean a foreign
     securities depository  or clearing agency  referred to in  Rule 17f-4 under
     the Investment Company Act  of 1940 for foreign securities but only  if the
     Custodian  has received  a certified  copy  of a  resolution  of the  Board
     approving  such depository  or  clearing  agency  as a  foreign  securities
     depository for the Trust.

              (h) "Approved Book-Entry System for  Commercial Paper" shall  mean
     a system  maintained  by  the  Custodian  or  by  a  subcustodian  employed
     pursuant  to Section  2  hereof  for the  holding  of commercial  paper  in
     book-entry form but only if the Custodian has received a certified copy  of
     a resolution of the Board approving the participation  by the Trust in such
     system.

              (i) The  Custodian  shall  be  deemed  to  have  received  "proper
     instructions"  in  respect  of any  of  the  matters  referred to  in  this
     Agreement upon receipt  of written or facsimile instructions signed by such
     one or  more person or persons  as the Board  shall have from  time to time
     authorized  to  give the  particular  class  of  instructions in  question.
     Different  persons may  be authorized  to give  instructions  for different
     purposes.  A certified  copy of a resolution  of the Board may  be received
     and  accepted by the  Custodian as conclusive evidence  of the authority of
     any  such person to act  and may be considered as  in full force and effect
     until receipt of written notice to the contrary.   Such instructions may be
     general or  specific  in terms  and,  where  appropriate, may  be  standing
     instructions.  Unless  the resolution delegating authority to any person or
     persons to give  a particular  class of instructions  specifically requires
     that  the approval  of any  person, persons  or committee  shall first have
     been obtained before the  Custodian may act on instructions  of that class,
     the Custodian  shall be under  no obligation to  question the right of  the
     person or persons giving such  instructions in so doing.  Oral instructions
     will  be  considered  proper  instructions  if   the  Custodian  reasonably
     believes  them to  have been  given by  a  person authorized  to give  such
     instructions with respect  to the transaction  involved.   The Trust  shall
     cause  all  oral instructions  to  be  confirmed  in  writing.   The  Trust
     authorizes the  Custodian to tape  record any and  all telephonic  or other
     oral instructions  given to the Custodian.   Upon receipt of  a certificate
     signed  by two  officers  of  the Trust  as  to  the authorization  by  the
     President and  the  Treasurer  of  the  Trust  accompanied  by  a  detailed
     description  of the communication procedures  approved by the President and
     the  Treasurer  of  the  Trust,  "proper  instructions"  may  also  include
     communications effected  directly between  electromechanical or  electronic
     devices provided  that the  President and  Treasurer of the  Trust and  the
     Custodian are  satisfied that  such procedures  afford adequate  safeguards
     for the  Trust's assets.    In performing  its duties  generally, and  more
     particularly  in  connection  with  the  purchase,  sale  and  exchange  of
     securities made by  or for the Trust, the  Custodian may take cognizance of

                                         -2-
<PAGE>






     the  provisions of the  governing documents  and registration  statement of
     the Trust as the same may from time  to time be in effect (and  resolutions
     or proceedings of  the holders  of interests in  the Trust  or the  Board),
     but,  nevertheless, except  as  otherwise  expressly provided  herein,  the
     Custodian  may assume unless and until  notified in writing to the contrary
     that so-called proper instructions received by it are not in conflict  with
     or in any  way contrary to any  provisions of such governing  documents and
     registration statement,  or resolutions  or proceedings  of the holders  of
     interests in the Trust or the Board.

              (j)   The term "Vote"  when used with respect to  the Board or the
     Holders  of  Interests in  the  Trust  shall  include  a vote,  resolution,
     consent,  proceeding and  other action  taken by  the  Board or  Holders in
     accordance with the Declaration of Trust or By-Laws of the Trust.

     2.       Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It

              The  Trust hereby appoints  and employs the Bank  as its Custodian
     and Agent in accordance with and subject to the provisions hereof, and  the
     Bank hereby accepts such  appointment and employment.  The Trust  agrees to
     deliver to the Custodian all securities,  participation interests, cash and
     other  assets  owned  by  it,  and  all  payments of  income,  payments  of
     principal and capital  distributions and  adjustments received  by it  with
     respect to  all securities and  participation interests owned  by the Trust
     from time to time,  and the cash consideration received by it  from time to
     time in  exchange for an interest in  the Trust or for  an increase in such
     an interest.   The Custodian shall not  be responsible for any  property of
     the  Trust  held  by  the Trust  and  not  delivered by  the  Trust  to the
     Custodian.   The Trust will  also deliver  to the  Bank from  time to  time
     copies  of   its  currently  effective   declaration  of  trust,   by-laws,
     registration statement  and placement  agent agreement  with its  placement
     agent, together with such resolutions,  and other proceedings of  the Trust
     as may be  necessary for or convenient  to the Bank  in the performance  of
     its duties hereunder.

              The  Custodian  may   from  time  to  time  employ  one   or  more
     subcustodians  to  perform such  acts  and  services  upon  such terms  and
     conditions as shall be  approved from time to time by the Board.   Any such
     subcustodian so employed by the Custodian shall  be deemed to be the  agent
     of the Custodian,  and the Custodian shall remain primarily responsible for
     the securities,  participation interests, moneys and  other property of the
     Trust held by such  subcustodian.  Any foreign subcustodian shall be a bank
     or trust company which is an eligible foreign  custodian within the meaning
     of Rule  17f-5 under the  Investment Company Act  of 1940, and the  foreign
     custody  arrangements  shall be  approved  by  the Board  and  shall  be in
     accordance with  and subject  to  the provisions  of said  Rule.   For  the
     purposes of  this Agreement,  any property of  the Trust  held by any  such
     subcustodian  (domestic or  foreign) shall  be  deemed to  be  held by  the
     Custodian under the terms of this Agreement.

     3.       Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the    Trust 


                                         -3-
<PAGE>






              A.  Safekeeping and Holding of Property  The Custodian shall  keep
                  safely all  property of the  Trust and on behalf  of the Trust
                  shall from  time to  time receive  delivery of  Trust property
                  for  safekeeping.    The  Custodian shall  hold,  earmark  and
                  segregate  on its  books and  records for  the account  of the
                  Trust  all property  of the  Trust, including  all securities,
                  participation  interests and  other  assets of  the Trust  (1)
                  physically   held  by   the   Custodian,  (2)   held  by   any
                  subcustodian referred to in  Section 2 hereof or by  any agent
                  referred to in Paragraph  K hereof, (3) held by  or maintained
                  in  The  Depository Trust  Company  or  in Participants  Trust
                  Company  or in an Approved  Clearing Agency or  in the Federal
                  Book-Entry  System   or  in  an  Approved  Foreign  Securities
                  Depository, each of  which from  time to time  is referred  to
                  herein   as  a  "Securities  System",  and  (4)  held  by  the
                  Custodian  or by  any subcustodian  referred  to in  Section 2
                  hereof and  maintained in  any Approved Book-Entry  System for
                  Commercial Paper.

              B.  Delivery  of   Securities  The  Custodian  shall  release  and
                  deliver securities  or  participation interests  owned by  the
                  Trust  held (or  deemed  to  be  held)  by  the  Custodian  or
                  maintained in  a Securities System  account or in  an Approved
                  Book-Entry  System  for  Commercial Paper  account  only  upon
                  receipt  of  proper  instructions,  which  may  be  continuing
                  instructions when deemed appropriate  by the parties, and only
                  in the following cases:

                      1)  Upon   sale  of   such  securities   or  participation
                          interests  for  the account  of  the  Trust,  but only
                          against receipt  of payment  therefor; if  delivery is
                          made  in Boston  or  New York  City,  payment therefor
                          shall be made  in accordance  with generally  accepted
                          clearing house procedures or by use of Federal Reserve
                          Wire System procedures; if delivery  is made elsewhere
                          payment therefor shall  be in accordance with the then
                          current "street delivery" custom or in accordance with
                          such procedures agreed to in writing from time to time
                          by the parties hereto; if the sale is effected through
                          a  Securities  System,  delivery and  payment therefor
                          shall  be made  in accordance  with the  provisions of
                          Paragraph L hereof; if the sale of commercial paper is
                          to be  effected through an  Approved Book-Entry System
                          for  Commercial Paper,  delivery and  payment therefor
                          shall  be made  in accordance  with the  provisions of
                          Paragraph  M hereof; if the securities  are to be sold
                          outside  the United  States, delivery  may be  made in
                          accordance with procedures  agreed to in writing  from
                          time to time  by the parties hereto;  for the purposes
                          of this  subparagraph, the  term "sale"  shall include
                          the disposition  of a portfolio security  (i) upon the
                          exercise of  an option written  by the Trust and  (ii)

                                         -4-
<PAGE>






                          upon the failure by the Trust to make a successful bid
                          with respect  to a portfolio  security, the  continued
                          holding of which is contingent upon the making of such
                          a bid;

                      2)  Upon  the receipt  of payment  in connection  with any
                          repurchase agreement or  reverse repurchase  agreement
                          relating to  such securities  and entered  into by the
                          Trust;

                      3)  To the  depository agent in connection  with tender or
                          other similar offers  for portfolio securities  of the
                          Trust;

                      4)  To  the   issuer  thereof  or  its   agent  when  such
                          securities  or  participation  interests  are  called,
                          redeemed,  retired   or  otherwise   become   payable;
                          provided  that, in any  such case,  the cash  or other
                          consideration is  to be delivered to  the Custodian or
                          any  subcustodian  employed   pursuant  to  Section  2
                          hereof;

                      5)  To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into
                          the name of the Trust or into the name of any  nominee
                          of the Custodian  or into the name or nominee  name of
                          any agent appointed  pursuant to Paragraph K hereof or
                          into  the name  or  nominee name  of  any subcustodian
                          employed pursuant to Section 2 hereof; or for exchange
                          for a different number of bonds, certificates or other
                          evidence representing the same  aggregate face  amount
                          or number of  units; provided that, in  any such case,
                          the new  securities or participation interests  are to
                          be delivered  to  the Custodian  or  any  subcustodian
                          employed pursuant to Section 2 hereof;

                      6)  To  the broker  selling  the same  for  examination in
                          accordance with the "street delivery" custom; provided
                          that the Custodian  shall adopt such procedures as the
                          Trust from time to  time shall approve to ensure their
                          prompt return to  the Custodian  by the broker  in the
                          event the broker elects not to accept them;

                      7)  For  exchange or  conversion pursuant  to any  plan of
                          merger,        consolidation,        recapitalization,
                          reorganization  or readjustment  of the  securities of
                          the  issuer   of  such  securities,  or   pursuant  to
                          provisions  for  conversion  of  such  securities,  or
                          pursuant to any  deposit agreement; provided that,  in
                          any such case,  the new  securities and cash,  if any,
                          are  to   be  delivered   to  the   Custodian  or  any
                          subcustodian employed pursuant to Section 2 hereof;


                                         -5-
<PAGE>






                      8)  In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities,
                          the surrender thereof in connection with  the exercise
                          of such warrants, rights or similar securities, or the
                          surrender  of interim receipts or temporary securities
                          for definitive securities; provided  that, in any such
                          case, the new  securities and cash, if any, are  to be
                          delivered  to   the  Custodian  or  any   subcustodian
                          employed pursuant to Section 2 hereof;

                      9)  For  delivery   in  connection   with  any   loans  of
                          securities  made by the  Trust (such loans to  be made
                          pursuant  to  the   terms  of   the  Trust's   current
                          registration statement),  but only against receipt  of
                          adequate collateral  as agreed upon from  time to time
                          by  the Custodian and  the Trust, which may  be in the
                          form  of  cash or  obligations  issued  by  the United
                          States government, its  agencies or instrumentalities;
                          except  that in  connection with any  securities loans
                          for  which  collateral   is  to  be  credited  to  the
                          Custodian's   account   in   the   book-entry   system
                          authorized  by the  U.S. Department  of  Treasury, the
                          Custodian will  not be held liable  or responsible for
                          the delivery  of securities loaned by  the Trust prior
                          to the receipt of such collateral;

                    10)   For  delivery  as  security  in  connection  with  any
                          borrowings  by  the   Trust  requiring  a  pledge   or
                          hypothecation  of  assets  by   the  Trust  (if   then
                          permitted under circumstances described in the current
                          registration statement of the  Trust), provided,  that
                          the securities shall  be released only upon payment to
                          the Custodian  of the monies borrowed,  except that in
                          cases  where  additional  collateral  is  required  to
                          secure  a borrowing  already made,  further securities
                          may  be released  for  that purpose;  upon  receipt of
                          proper instructions,  the Custodian  may pay  any such
                          loan upon  redelivery to it of  the securities pledged
                          or  hypothecated therefor  and  upon surrender  of the
                          note or notes evidencing the loan;

                    11)   When required  for  delivery  in connection  with  any
                          redemption or  repurchase of an interest  in the Trust
                          in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of Paragraph  J
                          hereof;

                    12)   For delivery in  accordance with the provisions of any
                          agreement  between the  Custodian  (or  a subcustodian
                          employed  pursuant   to  Section   2  hereof)  and   a
                          broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange
                          Act of 1934 and, if necessary, the  Trust, relating to
                          compliance  with  the rules  of  The Options  Clearing
                          Corporation or  of any registered national  securities

                                         -6-
<PAGE>






                          exchange,   or   of  any   similar   organization   or
                          organizations,  regarding deposit  or escrow  or other
                          arrangements in connection  with options  transactions
                          by the Trust;

                    13)   For delivery in  accordance with the provisions of any
                          agreement  among  the  Trust,  the   Custodian  (or  a
                          subcustodian employed  pursuant to  Section 2 hereof),
                          and  a  futures  commissions  merchant,   relating  to
                          compliance  with the  rules  of the  Commodity Futures
                          Trading  Commission and/or  of any contract  market or
                          commodities   exchange    or   similar   organization,
                          regarding  futures margin account deposits or payments
                          in connection with futures transactions by the Trust;

                    14)   For any other  proper corporate purpose, but only upon
                          receipt  of,  in addition  to  proper  instructions, a
                          certified copy of a resolution of the Board specifying
                          the securities  to  be delivered,  setting  forth  the
                          purpose  for  which  such  delivery  is  to  be  made,
                          declaring such purpose to be proper corporate purpose,
                          and naming the  person or persons to  whom delivery of
                          such securities shall be made.

              C.    Registration   of  Securities     Securities  held   by  the
                    Custodian (other than bearer securities) for  the account of
                    the Trust  shall be registered  in the name of  the Trust or
                    in the name of  any nominee of  the Trust or of  any nominee
                    of  the Custodian, or  in the  name or  nominee name  of any
                    agent appointed  pursuant to Paragraph  K hereof, or in  the
                    name or nominee  name of any subcustodian employed  pursuant
                    to Section 2 hereof,  or in the name or nominee name  of The
                    Depository  Trust Company  or Participants  Trust Company or
                    Approved  Clearing Agency  or Federal  Book-Entry  System or
                    Approved Book-Entry  System for Commercial Paper;  provided,
                    that securities are held in  an account of the  Custodian or
                    of  such  agent  or of  such  subcustodian  containing  only
                    assets of the Trust or only assets held by the  Custodian or
                    such  agent   or  such  subcustodian   as  a  custodian   or
                    subcustodian or in a fiduciary capacity for customers.   All
                    certificates  for securities  accepted by  the  Custodian or
                    any such agent or  subcustodian on behalf of the Trust shall
                    be  in "street"  or  other good  delivery  form or  shall be
                    returned  to the  selling  broker  or dealer  who  shall  be
                    advised of the reason thereof.

              D.  Bank  Accounts   The  Custodian  shall  open  and  maintain  a
                  separate  bank account or accounts  in the name  of the Trust,
                  subject  only to  draft or  order by  the Custodian  acting in
                  pursuant to the  terms of  this Agreement, and  shall hold  in
                  such account  or accounts,  subject to the  provisions hereof,
                  all  cash received by it from or  for the account of the Trust

                                         -7-
<PAGE>






                  other  than cash  maintained by  the Trust  in a  bank account
                  established and used in  accordance with Rule 17f-3 under  the
                  Investment Company Act of  1940.  Funds held by  the Custodian
                  for  the  Trust may  be  deposited  by  it  to its  credit  as
                  Custodian in  the Banking Department  of the  Custodian or  in
                  such  other banks or trust  companies as the  Custodian may in
                  its   discretion  deem   necessary  or   desirable;  provided,
                  however,  that  every such  bank  or  trust  company shall  be
                  qualified to act as a  custodian under the Investment  Company
                  Act  of 1940 and that each such  bank or trust company and the
                  funds to be  deposited with  each such bank  or trust  company
                  shall be approved  in writing  by two officers  of the  Trust.
                  Such  funds  shall  be  deposited  by  the  Custodian  in  its
                  capacity as Custodian and shall be subject to  withdrawal only
                  by the Custodian in that capacity.

              E.  Payments  for Interests,  or  Increases in  Interests, in  the
                  Trust  The Custodian  shall make appropriate arrangements with
                  the Transfer Agent  of the  Trust to enable  the Custodian  to
                  make  certain   it  promptly   receives  the  cash   or  other
                  consideration due  to the  Trust for  payment of  interests in
                  the Trust, or increases in such  interests, in accordance with
                  the  governing documents  and  registration statement  of  the
                  Trust.   The Custodian will provide prompt notification to the
                  Trust of any receipt by it of such payments.

              F.  Investment and  Availability of Federal Funds   Upon agreement
                  between  the Trust  and  the Custodian,  the Custodian  shall,
                  upon  the  receipt  of   proper  instructions,  which  may  be
                  continuing   instructions  when  deemed   appropriate  by  the
                  parties, invest in such  securities and instruments as  may be
                  set forth in  such instructions  on the same  day as  received
                  all  federal funds received  after a time  agreed upon between
                  the Custodian and the Trust.

              G.  Collections   The Custodian shall promptly  collect all income
                  and other payments with  respect to registered securities held
                  hereunder to which the  Trust shall be entitled either  by law
                  or pursuant  to custom in  the securities business,  and shall
                  promptly collect  all income  and other payments  with respect
                  to  bearer  securities  if, on  the  date  of  payment by  the
                  issuer, such  securities are  held by the  Custodian or  agent
                  thereof and  shall credit  such income,  as collected, to  the
                  Trust's custodian account.  The  Custodian shall do all things
                  necessary   and  proper   in  connection   with  such   prompt
                  collections  and,  without  limiting  the  generality  of  the
                  foregoing, the  Custodian shall

                    1)    Present for payment all coupons and other income items
                          requiring presentations;

                    2)    Present for payment all securities which may mature or

                                         -8-
<PAGE>






                          be  called,  redeemed,  retired  or  otherwise  become
                          payable;

                    3)    Endorse and deposit for collection, in the name of the
                          Trust, checks, drafts or other negotiable instruments;

                    4)    Credit   income  from   securities  maintained   in  a
                          Securities System or  in an Approved Book-Entry System
                          for   Commercial  Paper  at  the   time  funds  become
                          available to the  Custodian; in the case of securities
                          maintained in The Depository Trust Company funds shall
                          be deemed  available to  the Trust not  later than the
                          opening of  business on  the first  business day after
                          receipt of such funds by the Custodian.

                    The  Custodian shall notify the Trust  as soon as reasonably
                    practicable  whenever income  due  on  any security  is  not
                    promptly collected.    In any  case in  which the  Custodian
                    does not  receive any  due and  unpaid income  after it  has
                    made  demand for the  same, it  shall immediately  so notify
                    the  Trust  in  writing,  enclosing  copies  of  any  demand
                    letter, any written  response thereto, and memoranda of  all
                    oral responses thereto and to telephonic  demands, and await
                    instructions from the  Trust; the Custodian shall in no case
                    have  any  liability  for  any  nonpayment  of  such  income
                    provided the Custodian meets the standard of  care set forth
                    in Section 8 hereof.   The Custodian shall not  be obligated
                    to  take  legal  action  for  collection  unless  and  until
                    reasonably indemnified to its satisfaction.

                    The  Custodian shall  also  receive  and collect  all  stock
                    dividends, rights  and other items of  like nature, and deal
                    with  the  same  pursuant to  proper  instructions  relative
                    thereto.

              H.  Payment of Trust Monies  Upon receipt  of proper instructions,
                  which may  be continuing instructions  when deemed appropriate
                  by  the parties,  the Custodian  shall pay  out monies  of the
                  Trust in the following cases only:

                    1)    Upon  the   purchase  of   securities,   participation
                          interests,   options,   futures   contracts,   forward
                          contracts and  options on futures contracts  purchased
                          for the account of the Trust but only (a) against  the
                          receipt of

                               (i)  such securities  registered  as  provided in
                               Paragraph C hereof or in proper form for transfer
                               or

                               (ii) detailed instructions signed  by an  officer
                               of   the   Trust   regarding   the  participation

                                         -9-
<PAGE>






                               interests to be purchased or

                               (iii)written confirmation of the purchase  by the
                               Trust  of the options, futures contracts, forward
                               contracts or options on  futures contracts by the
                               Custodian (or by a subcustodian employed pursuant
                               to Section 2 hereof  or by a clearing corporation
                               of a  national securities  exchange of  which the
                               Custodian  is a  member or  by any  bank, banking
                               institution  or trust  company doing  business in
                               the  United States  or abroad which  is qualified
                               under the  Investment Company Act of  1940 to act
                               as a  custodian and which has  been designated by
                               the Custodian as its agent for this purpose or by
                               the  agent   specifically  designated   in   such
                               instructions  as representing the purchasers of a
                               new issue of privately placed securities); (b) in
                               the  case  of  a  purchase  effected  through   a
                               Securities System, upon receipt of the securities
                               by the Securities  System in accordance with  the
                               conditions set forth in  Paragraph L hereof;  (c)
                               in  the case  of a  purchase of  commercial paper
                               effected through  an Approved  Book-Entry  System
                               for Commercial  Paper, upon receipt  of the paper
                               by  the Custodian  or subcustodian  in accordance
                               with the  conditions  set forth  in  Paragraph  M
                               hereof;  (d) in the case of repurchase agreements
                               entered into between the  Trust and another  bank
                               or  a  broker-dealer,   against  receipt  by  the
                               Custodian  of  the   securities  underlying   the
                               repurchase agreement either  in certificate  form
                               or  through an  entry  crediting  the Custodian's
                               segregated,   non-proprietary   account  at   the
                               Federal   Reserve  Bank   of  Boston   with  such
                               securities  along with  written  evidence  of the
                               agreement  by  the  bank   or  broker-dealer   to
                               repurchase such securities from the Trust; or (e)
                               with respect  to securities  purchased outside of
                               the  United States,  in accordance  with  written
                               procedures agreed to from time to time in writing
                               by the parties hereto;

                          2)   When  required in connection with the conversion,
                               exchange or surrender of securities owned  by the
                               Trust as set forth in Paragraph B hereof;

                          3)   When required for the  reduction or redemption of
                               an interest  in the Trust in  accordance with the
                               provisions of Paragraph J hereof;

                          4)   For  the payment  of  any  expense  or  liability
                               incurred by the  Trust, including but not limited

                                         -10-
<PAGE>






                               to the following payments  for the account of the
                               Trust:      advisory   fees,   interest,   taxes,
                               management compensation and expenses, accounting,
                               transfer   agent  and   legal  fees,   and  other
                               operating expenses of  the Trust  whether or  not
                               such  expenses  are  to   be  in  whole  or  part
                               capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;

                          5)   For  distributions  or  payment  to   Holders  of
                               Interest in the Trust; and

                          6)   For any other proper  corporate purpose, but only
                               upon   receipt   of,  in   addition   to   proper
                               instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of
                               the Board, specifying the amount of such payment,
                               setting forth the purpose for which  such payment
                               is to  be made,  declaring such  purpose to  be a
                               proper corporate purpose, and  naming the  person
                               or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

              I.  Liability  for Payment  in  Advance of  Receipt of  Securities
                  Purchased   In any and  every case where  payment for purchase
                  of securities  for the  account of the  Trust is  made by  the
                  Custodian in  advance of  receipt of the  securities purchased
                  in the absence  of specific written instructions signed by two
                  officers  of the  Trust to  so pay  in advance,  the Custodian
                  shall  be absolutely liable  to the Trust  for such securities
                  to  the same extent as if the  securities had been received by
                  the  Custodian; except  that  in  the  case  of  a  repurchase
                  agreement entered  into by  the Trust with  a bank which  is a
                  member  of  the  Federal  Reserve System,  the  Custodian  may
                  transfer  trusts  to the  account of  such  bank prior  to the
                  receipt of (i)  the securities in certificate form  subject to
                  such repurchase  agreement or  (ii) written evidence  that the
                  securities subject  to  such repurchase  agreement  have  been
                  transferred  by book-entry  into a  segregated non-proprietary
                  account of  the Custodian maintained with  the Federal Reserve
                  Bank  of Boston  or  (iii) the  safekeeping receipt,  provided
                  that  such securities  have  in fact  been  so transferred  by
                  book-entry and the  written repurchase  agreement is  received
                  by  the  Custodian  in due  course;  and  except  that if  the
                  securities  are to  be  purchased outside  the United  States,
                  payment may be  made in accordance  with procedures agreed  to
                  in writing from time to time by the parties hereto.

              J.  Payments for  Repurchases or  Redemptions of Interests  in the
                  Trust  From such  funds as may  be available for the  purpose,
                  but subject  to any  applicable resolutions  of the  Board and
                  the  current procedures  of  the Trust,  the Custodian  shall,
                  upon receipt  of written instructions  from the Trust  or from
                  the  Trust's  Transfer  Agent,  make  funds  and/or  portfolio
                  securities  available for  payment to  Holders of  Interest in

                                         -11-
<PAGE>






                  the Trust who have caused the amount of their interests to  be
                  reduced, or for their interest to be redeemed.

              K.  Appointment of Agents by  the Custodian  The Custodian  may at
                  any time or times  in its discretion appoint  (and may at  any
                  time  remove) any other  bank or trust  company (provided such
                  bank  or   trust  company   is  itself  qualified   under  the
                  Investment Company  Act of  1940 to act  as a custodian  or is
                  itself  an eligible  foreign custodian  within the  meaning of
                  Rule 17f-5 under  said Act) as the  agent of the  Custodian to
                  carry  out such of the  duties and functions  of the Custodian
                  described in this Section 3 as the Custodian may from time  to
                  time direct;  provided, however,  that the appointment  of any
                  such  agent  shall not  relieve the  Custodian  of any  of its
                  responsibilities or liabilities hereunder,  and as between the
                  Trust  and   the  Custodian  the  Custodian   shall  be  fully
                  responsible  for the  acts and  omissions of  any  such agent.
                  For  the purposes of this Agreement, any property of the Trust
                  held  by any  such agent  shall be  deemed to  be held  by the
                  Custodian hereunder.

              L.  Deposit of  Trust Portfolio  Securities in  Securities Systems
                  The Custodian may deposit  and/or maintain securities owned by
                  the Trust

                          (1)  in The Depository Trust Company;

                          (2)  in Participants Trust Company;

                          (3)  in any other Approved Clearing Agency;

                          (4)  in the Federal Book-Entry System; or

                          (5)  in an  Approved Foreign  Securities  Depositoryin
                               each  case  only  in  accordance with  applicable
                               Federal Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange
                               Commission  rules  and regulations,  and  at  all
                               times subject to the following provisions:

                      (a)  The  Custodian may (either directly or through one or
                      more  subcustodians employed  pursuant to  Section  2 keep
                      securities of  the Trust in  a Securities System  provided
                      that such  securities are maintained in  a non-proprietary
                      account  ("Account") of the Custodian or such subcustodian
                      in  the Securities  System  which  shall not  include  any
                      assets  of the Custodian or such subcustodian or any other
                      person  other than  assets held by  the Custodian  or such
                      subcustodian as a fiduciary,  custodian, or otherwise  for
                      its customers.

                      (b)    The  records  of  the  Custodian  with  respect  to
                      securities  of  the  Trust  which  are   maintained  in  a

                                         -12-
<PAGE>






                      Securities  System  shall  identify  by  book-entry  those
                      securities  belonging  to  the  Trust,  and the  Custodian
                      shall be fully and completely  responsible for maintaining
                      a   recordkeeping   system  capable   of   accurately  and
                      currently stating the Trust's holdings maintained  in each
                      such Securities System.

                      (c)  The  Custodian shall pay for securities  purchased in
                      book-entry form  for the  account of  the Trust  only upon
                      (i)  receipt  of  notice or  advice  from  the  Securities
                      System that such  securities have been transferred  to the
                      Account, and (ii) the making  of any entry on  the records
                      of the Custodian to reflect such payment  and transfer for
                      the account of  the Trust.   The Custodian  shall transfer
                      securities sold  for the account  of the  Trust only  upon
                      (i)  receipt  of  notice or  advice  from  the  Securities
                      System  that   payment  for   such  securities  has   been
                      transferred to  the  Account, and  (ii) the  making of  an
                      entry on  the records  of  the Custodian  to reflect  such
                      transfer and payment  for the account of the Trust. Copies
                      of all  notices or advices  from the Securities System  of
                      transfers  of securities  for  the  account of  the  Trust
                      shall identify  the Trust, be maintained  for the Trust by
                      the Custodian  and be promptly  provided to  the Trust  at
                      its request.   The  Custodian shall promptly  send to  the
                      Trust  confirmation  of  each  transfer  to  or  from  the
                      account  of the Trust  in the form of  a written advice or
                      notice  of each such transaction, and shall furnish to the
                      Trust copies  of daily transaction sheets  reflecting each
                      day's  transactions  in  the  Securities  System  for  the
                      account of the Trust on the next business day.

                      (d)   The Custodian shall  promptly send to  the Trust any
                      report or other communication received or  obtained by the
                      Custodian relating  to the Securities System's  accounting
                      system,  system   of  internal   accounting  controls   or
                      procedures for  safeguarding securities  deposited in  the
                      Securities System;  the Custodian  shall promptly send  to
                      the Trust  any report or  other communication relating  to
                      the   Custodian's   internal   accounting   controls   and
                      procedures for  safeguarding securities  deposited in  any
                      Securities System;  and  the Custodian  shall ensure  that
                      any agent appointed pursuant  to Paragraph K hereof or any
                      subcustodian employed  pursuant to Section  2 hereof shall
                      promptly  send  to  the  Trust and  to  the  Custodian any
                      report or other communication relating to  such agent's or
                      subcustodian's    internal   accounting    controls    and
                      procedures for  safeguarding securities  deposited in  any
                      Securities  System.    The Custodian's  books  and records
                      relating to  the Trust's participation in  each Securities
                      System will  at all times during regular business hours be
                      open  to   the  inspection   of  the  Trust's   authorized

                                         -13-
<PAGE>






                      officers, employees or agents.

                      (e)   The Custodian shall  not act under  this Paragraph L
                      in the absence of receipt  of a certificate of  an officer
                      of the  Trust that  the Board  has approved  the use of  a
                      particular Securities  System;  the Custodian  shall  also
                      obtain  appropriate  assurance  from the  officers  of the
                      Trust that the  Board has annually reviewed  the continued
                      use by the  Trust of each Securities System, and the Trust
                      shall  promptly notify  the  Custodian  if  the use  of  a
                      Securities System  is to be  discontinued; at the  request
                      of the Trust,  the Custodian will terminate the use of any
                      such Securities System as promptly as practicable.

                      (f)     Anything  to  the   contrary  in  this   Agreement
                      notwithstanding, the  Custodian  shall  be liable  to  the
                      Trust for any loss or  damage to the Trust  resulting from
                      use of the Securities System by reason of  any negligence,
                      misfeasance or misconduct  of the Custodian or  any of its
                      agents  or  subcustodians  or  of  any  of  its  or  their
                      employees  or from  any failure  of the  Custodian or  any
                      such  agent or  subcustodian to  enforce effectively  such
                      rights as it  may have  against the  Securities System  or
                      any other person; at the  election of the Trust,  it shall
                      be  entitled  to  be  subrogated  to  the  rights  of  the
                      Custodian   with   respect  to   any  claim   against  the
                      Securities System or any other person  which the Custodian
                      may have as  a consequence of  any such loss or  damage if
                      and to the extent that  the Trust has not been  made whole
                      for any such loss or damage.

              M.      Deposit   of  Trust  Commercial   Paper  in   an  Approved
                      Book-Entry System  for Commercial Paper   Upon receipt  of
                      proper instructions with  respect to each issue  of direct
                      issue  commercial  paper  purchased  by  the  Trust,   the
                      Custodian  may   deposit  and/or   maintain  direct  issue
                      commercial  paper  owned  by the  Trust  in  any  Approved
                      Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper, in  each case only
                      in  accordance  with  applicable  Securities and  Exchange
                      Commission    rules,     regulations,    and     no-action
                      correspondence, and at all times subject  to the following
                      provisions:

                          (a)  The Custodian may (either directly or through one
                          or more subcustodians  employed pursuant to Section 2)
                          keep  commercial paper  of  the Trust  in  an Approved
                          Book-Entry System for  Commercial Paper, provided that
                          such  paper  is  issued  in  book  entry  form by  the
                          Custodian or subcustodian  on behalf of an issuer with
                          which the Custodian or subcustodian has entered into a
                          book-entry  agreement and  provided further  that such
                          paper  is  maintained  in  a  non-proprietary  account

                                         -14-
<PAGE>






                          ("Account") of  the Custodian or  such subcustodian in
                          an  Approved Book-Entry  System  for  Commercial Paper
                          which shall not include any assets of the Custodian or
                          such  subcustodian  or any  other  person  other  than
                          assets held by the Custodian or such subcustodian as a
                          fiduciary, custodian, or otherwise for its customers.

                          (b)   The  records of  the  Custodian with  respect to
                          commercial paper  of the Trust which  is maintained in
                          an  Approved  Book-Entry  System for  Commercial Paper
                          shall  identify by  book-entry each specific  issue of
                          commercial  paper  purchased  by  the  Trust  which is
                          included  in the  Securities System  and shall  at all
                          times  during  regular  business  hours  be  open  for
                          inspection by authorized officers, employees or agents
                          of the  Trust.    The  Custodian  shall be  fully  and
                          completely responsible for maintaining a recordkeeping
                          system capable of accurately and currently stating the
                          Trust's  holdings  of  commercial paper  maintained in
                          each such System.

                          (c)   The  Custodian  shall pay  for  commercial paper
                          purchased in  book-entry form  for the  account of the
                          Trust only upon  contemporaneous (i) receipt of notice
                          or advice  from the  issuer that  such paper has  been
                          issued, sold and  transferred to the Account, and (ii)
                          the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian
                          to reflect such purchase, payment and transfer for the
                          account of  the Trust.   The  Custodian shall transfer
                          such  commercial paper  which is  sold or  cancel such
                          commercial paper which  is redeemed for the account of
                          the  Trust only  upon contemporaneous  (i) receipt  of
                          notice or advice that payment for such paper has  been
                          transferred to  the Account, and (ii) the making of an
                          entry on the records  of the Custodian to reflect such
                          transfer or redemption  and payment for the account of
                          the   Trust.  Copies  of  all   notices,  advices  and
                          confirmations of transfers of commercial paper for the
                          account  of the  Trust  shall identify  the  Trust, be
                          maintained  for  the Trust  by  the  Custodian  and be
                          promptly  provided to the Trust  at its  request.  The
                          Custodian   shall   promptly   send   to   the   Trust
                          confirmation of  each transfer to or  from the account
                          of the Trust in the form of a written advice or notice
                          of  each such  transaction, and  shall furnish  to the
                          Trust  copies of  daily transaction  sheets reflecting
                          each day's transactions  in the System for the account
                          of the Trust on the next business day.

                          (d)   The Custodian shall  promptly send  to the Trust
                          any report or other communication received or obtained
                          by the Custodian  relating to each System's accounting

                                         -15-
<PAGE>






                          system,  system  of internal  accounting  controls  or
                          procedures for safeguarding commercial paper deposited
                          in the  System; the  Custodian shall  promptly send to
                          the Trust  any report or other  communication relating
                          to  the Custodian's  internal accounting  controls and
                          procedures for safeguarding commercial paper deposited
                          in  any  Approved  Book-Entry  System  for  Commercial
                          Paper; and  the Custodian shall ensure  that any agent
                          appointed  pursuant  to  Paragraph  K  hereof  or  any
                          subcustodian  employed  pursuant  to Section  2 hereof
                          shall  promptly send to the Trust and to the Custodian
                          any report  or other  communication  relating to  such
                          agent's or subcustodian's internal accounting controls
                          and procedures for  safeguarding securities  deposited
                          in  any  Approved  Book-Entry  System  for  Commercial
                          Paper.

                          (e)  The Custodian shall not  act under this Paragraph
                          M in  the absence  of receipt of a  certificate of  an
                          officer of the  Trust that the Board has  approved the
                          use  of a  particular Approved  Book-Entry  System for
                          Commercial  Paper;  the Custodian  shall  also  obtain
                          appropriate  assurance from the officers  of the Trust
                          that the Board has annually reviewed the continued use
                          by the  Trust of  each Approved  Book-Entry System for
                          Commercial Paper, and the  Trust shall promptly notify
                          the  Custodian if  the use  of an  Approved Book-Entry
                          System for Commercial  Paper is to be discontinued; at
                          the request of the Trust, the Custodian will terminate
                          the use of any such System as promptly as practicable.

                          (f)   The Custodian (or subcustodian,  if the Approved
                          Book-Entry System for Commercial  Paper is  maintained
                          by the  subcustodian) shall issue physical  commercial
                          paper or promissory  notes whenever requested to do so
                          by the Trust  or in the event of an  electronic system
                          failure which impedes issuance, transfer or custody of
                          direct issue commercial paper by book-entry.

                          (g)    Anything  to  the  contrary  in this  Agreement
                          notwithstanding,  the Custodian shall be liable to the
                          Trust for any  loss or damage to  the Trust  resulting
                          from  use  of   any  Approved  Book-Entry  System  for
                          Commercial   Paper  by   reason  of   any  negligence,
                          misfeasance or  misconduct of the Custodian  or any of
                          its agents or subcustodians or of any of its or  their
                          employees  or from any failure of the Custodian or any
                          such agent or subcustodian to enforce effectively such
                          rights as it  may have against the  System, the issuer
                          of  the commercial paper or  any other  person; at the
                          election  of  the Trust,  it shall  be entitled  to be
                          subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect

                                         -16-
<PAGE>






                          to  any claim  against the System,  the issuer  of the
                          commercial  paper  or  any  other  person   which  the
                          Custodian may  have as a consequence  of any such loss
                          or damage if and  to the extent that the Trust has not
                          been made whole for any such loss or damage.

              N.  Segregated  Account    The  Custodian shall  upon  receipt  of
                  proper  instructions  establish   and  maintain  a  segregated
                  account  or  accounts for  and on  behalf  of the  Trust, into
                  which  account  or accounts  may  be  transferred cash  and/or
                  securities, including securities  maintained in an  account by
                  the  Custodian   pursuant  to  Paragraph  L   hereof,  (i)  in
                  accordance  with the  provisions  of any  agreement among  the
                  Trust, the Custodian and  any registered broker-dealer (or any
                  futures commission merchant), relating  to compliance with the
                  rules  of   the  Options  Clearing  Corporation   and  of  any
                  registered national  securities exchange (or of  the Commodity
                  Futures  Trading  Commission  or  of any  contract  market  or
                  commodities  exchange),  or  of  any similar  organization  or
                  organizations,   regarding   escrow   or  deposit   or   other
                  arrangements in  connection  with transactions  by the  Trust,
                  (ii)  for  purposes of  segregating  cash  or U.S.  Government
                  securities  in connection  with  options   purchased, sold  or
                  written by the  Trust or futures contracts or  options thereon
                  purchased  or sold  by the  Trust, (iii)  for the  purposes of
                  compliance  by  the  Trust  with the  procedures  required  by
                  Investment Company  Act Release  No. 10666, or  any subsequent
                  release or releases of  the Securities and Exchange Commission
                  relating  to   the  maintenance  of  segregated   accounts  by
                  registered  investment companies  and  (iv) for  other  proper
                  purposes, but only, in  the case of clause (iv),  upon receipt
                  of, in  addition to proper instructions,  a certificate signed
                  by two officers of  the Trust, setting forth the  purpose such
                  segregated  account and declaring such  purpose to be a proper
                  purpose.

              O.  Ownership Certificates  for Tax Purposes   The Custodian shall
                  execute ownership  and other  certificates and  affidavits for
                  all federal and state tax  purposes in connection with receipt
                  of  income or other payments with respect to securities of the
                  Trust  held  by  it  and  in  connection  with   transfers  of
                  securities.

              P.  Proxies  The  Custodian shall, with respect  to the securities
                  held  by it hereunder, cause  to be promptly  delivered to the
                  Trust all forms  of proxies  and all notices  of meetings  and
                  any   other   notices  or   announcements  or   other  written
                  information affecting or relating  to the securities, and upon
                  receipt of  proper instructions  shall execute and  deliver or
                  cause  its nominee  to  execute and  deliver  such proxies  or
                  other  authorizations   as  may  be   required.  Neither   the
                  Custodian  nor  its   nominee  shall  vote  upon  any  of  the

                                         -17-
<PAGE>






                  securities  or execute any proxy  to vote thereon  or give any
                  consent or  take any other action with respect thereto (except
                  as  otherwise herein  provided)  unless ordered  to  do so  by
                  proper instructions.

              Q.  Communications  Relating to  Trust Portfolio  Securities   The
                  Custodian  shall deliver  promptly  to the  Trust all  written
                  information (including,  without limitation, pendency  of call
                  and maturities  of securities and  participation interests and
                  expirations of  rights in connection therewith  and notices of
                  exercise of call and put options written by the  Trust and the
                  maturity of futures contracts purchased  or sold by the Trust)
                  received  by  the Custodian  from  issuers  and other  persons
                  relating  to the securities  and participation interests being
                  held  for the  Trust.   With  respect  to tender  or  exchange
                  offers, the Custodian  shall deliver promptly to the Trust all
                  written  information received  by the  Custodian from  issuers
                  and   other   persons   relating   to   the   securities   and
                  participation  interests  whose tender  or exchange  is sought
                  and  from the  party  (or his  agents)  making the  tender  or
                  exchange offer.

              R.  Exercise  of  Rights; Tender  Offers   In  the case  of tender
                  offers,  similar   offers  to  purchase  or   exercise  rights
                  (including,   without  limitation,   pendency  of   calls  and
                  maturities  of  securities  and  participation  interests  and
                  expirations of  rights in connection therewith  and notices of
                  exercise of call and  put options and the maturity  of futures
                  contracts)   affecting   or   relating   to   securities   and
                  participation  interests  held  by  the  Custodian  under this
                  Agreement,  the  Custodian   shall  have  responsibility   for
                  promptly notifying the Trust of all such offers  in accordance
                  with  the standard of reasonable  care set forth  in Section 8
                  hereof.   For  all  such offers  for  which the  Custodian  is
                  responsible as provided  in this Paragraph R,  the Trust shall
                  have  responsibility  for  providing the  Custodian  with  all
                  necessary  instructions in  timely fashion.   Upon  receipt of
                  proper  instructions, the  Custodian shall  timely deliver  to
                  the  issuer or  trustee thereof,  or to  the agent  of either,
                  warrants, puts,  calls, rights  or similar securities  for the
                  purpose  of  being  exercised  or  sold  upon  proper  receipt
                  therefor and  upon receipt  of assurances satisfactory  to the
                  Custodian  that the new securities  and cash, if any, acquired
                  by such  action are to  be delivered to  the Custodian  or any
                  subcustodian  employed pursuant  to  Section 2  hereof.   Upon
                  receipt of  proper instructions,  the  Custodian shall  timely
                  deposit securities upon invitations for  tenders of securities
                  upon proper  receipt therefor  and upon receipt  of assurances
                  satisfactory  to the  Custodian that  the consideration  to be
                  paid  or  delivered  or  the  tendered  securities  are to  be
                  returned to  the Custodian or  subcustodian employed  pursuant
                  to Section 2  hereof.  Notwithstanding  any provision of  this

                                         -18-
<PAGE>






                  Agreement  to  the  contrary,  the Custodian  shall  take  all
                  necessary action,  unless otherwise directed  to the  contrary
                  by  proper  instructions, to  comply  with  the  terms of  all
                  mandatory   or   compulsory    exchanges,   calls,    tenders,
                  redemptions,  or  similar rights  of  security  ownership, and
                  shall  thereafter promptly notify the Trust in writing of such
                  action.

              S.  Depository  Receipts   The  Custodian shall,  upon receipt  of
                  proper  instructions, surrender  or  cause  to be  surrendered
                  foreign securities  to the  depository  used by  an issuer  of
                  American  Depository  Receipts  or   International  Depository
                  Receipts (hereinafter  collectively referred to as "ADRs") for
                  such   securities,   against   a  written   receipt   therefor
                  adequately describing  such  securities and  written  evidence
                  satisfactory  to   the  Custodian  that   the  depository  has
                  acknowledged receipt of instructions  to issue with respect to
                  such securities in  the name of a nominee of  the Custodian or
                  in  the  name or  nominee  name of  any  subcustodian employed
                  pursuant to  Section 2 hereof,  for delivery to  the Custodian
                  or  such subcustodian at such  place as the  Custodian or such
                  subcustodian may  from time  to time designate.  The Custodian
                  shall, upon receipt of  proper instructions, surrender ADRs to
                  the  issuer   thereof  against  a  written   receipt  therefor
                  adequately  describing  the   ADRs  surrendered  and   written
                  evidence satisfactory to the Custodian  that the issuer of the
                  ADRs  has acknowledged  receipt of  instructions to  cause its
                  depository to  deliver the securities underlying  such ADRs to
                  the  Custodian  or  to  a subcustodian  employed  pursuant  to
                  Section 2 hereof.

              T.  Interest  Bearing Call or Time Deposits   The Custodian shall,
                  upon receipt of  proper instructions,  place interest  bearing
                  fixed term and  call deposits with  the banking department  of
                  such  banking institution  (other than  the Custodian)  and in
                  such  amounts as  the Trust  may designate.   Deposits  may be
                  denominated  in  U.S.  Dollars   or  other  currencies.    The
                  Custodian  shall include  in its  records with respect  to the
                  assets  of the Trust appropriate notation as to the amount and
                  currency  of  each   such  deposit,   the  accepting   banking
                  institution  and other  appropriate details  and  shall retain
                  such forms  of advice  or receipt evidencing  the deposit,  if
                  any,  as  may be  forwarded to  the  Custodian by  the banking
                  institution.     Such  deposits  shall   be  deemed  portfolio
                  securities  of the Trust  for the purposes  of this Agreement,
                  and the  Custodian shall be responsible for  the collection of
                  income  from such accounts and the transmission of cash to and
                  from such accounts.

              U.  Options, Futures Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions

                          1.   Options.   The Custodian  shall, upon receipt  of

                                         -19-
<PAGE>






                      proper instructions and in accordance  with the provisions
                      of  any agreement  between  the Custodian,  any registered
                      broker-dealer and,  if necessary,  the Trust, relating  to
                      compliance  with  the   rules  of  the   Options  Clearing
                      Corporation  or  of  any  registered  national  securities
                      exchange   or   similar  organization   or  organizations,
                      receive and  retain confirmations  or other  documents, if
                      any, evidencing the  purchase or writing of an option on a
                      security   or   securities   index   or  other   financial
                      instrument  or index by the Trust; deposit and maintain in
                      a segregated account  for the Trust, either  physically or
                      by book-entry in  a Securities System, securities  subject
                      to  a  covered  call  option written  by  the  Trust;  and
                      release and/or  transfer such  securities or  other assets
                      only in  accordance with a  notice or other  communication
                      evidencing the  expiration,  termination  or  exercise  of
                      such  covered option  furnished  by the  Options  Clearing
                      Corporation, the securities  or options exchange  on which
                      such covered option  is traded or such  other organization
                      as   may  be   responsible  for   handling   such  options
                      transactions.   The Custodian  and the broker-dealer shall
                      be responsible for the  sufficiency of assets held in  the
                      Trust's segregated  account in compliance with  applicable
                      margin maintenance requirements.


                          2.   Futures  Contracts   The  Custodian shall,  upon 
                      receipt  of  proper  instructions,   receive  and   retain
                      confirmations and other documents, if  any, evidencing the
                      purchase  or sale of a futures contract  or an option on a
                      futures contract by the  Trust; deposit and maintain in  a
                      segregated  account,   for  the  benefit  of  any  futures
                      commission  merchant,  assets designated  by the  Trust as
                      initial,   maintenance  or   variation  "margin"  deposits
                      (including  mark-to-market  payments)  intended to  secure
                      the  Trust's  performance of  its  obligations  under  any
                      futures  contracts purchased  or sold  or  any options  on
                      futures  contracts written  by Trust,  in accordance  with
                      the provisions  of any agreement  or agreements among  the
                      Trust,   the   Custodian  and   such   futures  commission
                      merchant,  designed  to  comply  with  the  rules  of  the
                      Commodity  Futures   Trading  Commission   and/or  of  any
                      contract  market  or  commodities   exchange  or   similar
                      organization regarding  such margin deposits or  payments;
                      and  release   and/or  transfer  assets  in   such  margin
                      accounts only  in accordance with  any such agreements  or
                      rules.  The Custodian and the  futures commission merchant
                      shall be  responsible for the  sufficiency of assets  held
                      in  the   segregated  account   in  compliance   with  the
                      applicable  margin maintenance  and mark-to-market payment
                      requirements.


                                         -20-
<PAGE>






                          3.    Foreign  Exchange  Transactions   The  Custodian
                      shall, pursuant  to  proper  instructions, enter  into  or
                      cause  a  subcustodian  to  enter  into  foreign  exchange
                      contracts  or  options   to  purchase  and   sell  foreign
                      currencies for spot and future delivery on behalf and  for
                      the  account  of the  Trust.    Such  transactions may  be
                      undertaken  by  the  Custodian or  subcustodian  with such
                      banking  or  financial  institutions   or  other  currency
                      brokers, as  set forth  in proper  instructions.   Foreign
                      exchange  contracts and  options  shall  be deemed  to  be
                      portfolio  securities of the  Trust; and  accordingly, the
                      responsibility  of  the Custodian  therefor  shall be  the
                      same   as   and    no   greater   than   the   Custodian's
                      responsibility in  respect of  other portfolio  securities
                      of the Trust.   The Custodian shall be responsible for the
                      transmittal  to and  receipt  of  cash from  the  currency
                      broker or banking or financial institution  with which the
                      contract  or option  is made,  the  maintenance of  proper
                      records   with   respect  to   the  transaction   and  the
                      maintenance  of   any  segregated   account  required   in
                      connection  with  the  transaction.   The  Custodian shall
                      have  no  duty  with  respect  to  the  selection  of  the
                      currency  brokers  or banking  or  financial  institutions
                      with which the  Trust deals or for their failure to comply
                      with  the terms  of  any  contract  or  option.    Without
                      limiting the foregoing, it is agreed  that upon receipt of
                      proper  instructions  and  insofar   as  funds  are   made
                      available to the Custodian for the  purpose, the Custodian
                      may  (if   determined  necessary   by  the  Custodian   to
                      consummate a particular transaction on behalf  and for the
                      account of the Trust) make free outgoing  payments of cash
                      in the form  of U.S.  dollars or  foreign currency  before
                      receiving confirmation of  a foreign exchange contract  or
                      confirmation  that  the  countervalue currency  completing
                      the  foreign  exchange  contract  has  been  delivered  or
                      received.  The Custodian shall not be responsible  for any
                      costs and interest charges  which may  be incurred by  the
                      Trust  or the  Custodian  as a  result  of the  failure or
                      delay  of  third  parties  to  deliver  foreign  exchange;
                      provided that the Custodian shall nevertheless  be held to
                      the standard of care  set forth in, and shall be liable to
                      the Trust  in accordance with,  the provisions of  Section
                      8.

              V.  Actions  Permitted Without  Express Authority   The  Custodian
                  may  in its  discretion,  without express  authority from  the
                  Trust:

                  1)  make  payments to  itself or others  for minor expenses of
                      handling  securities or  other similar  items relating  to
                      its duties under  this Agreement, provided, that  all such
                      payments shall be  accounted for by the  Custodian to  the

                                         -21-
<PAGE>






                      Treasurer of the Trust;

                  2)  surrender securities  in temporary form for  securities in
                      definitive form;

                  3)  endorse for  collection, in the name of the Trust, checks,
                      drafts and other negotiable instruments; and

                  4)  in general,  attend  to  all nondiscretionary  details  in
                      connection   with   the   sale,  exchange,   substitution,
                      purchase, transfer  and other dealings with the securities
                      and property of the Trust except  as otherwise directed by
                      the Trust.

     4.       Duties of Bank  with Respect to Books of Account  and Calculations
              of Net Asset Value

              The Bank  shall as  Agent (or as  Custodian, as the  case may  be)
     keep such  books of  account (including  records showing  the adjusted  tax
     costs of the  Trust's portfolio securities) and  render as at the  close of
     business on each day a detailed statement  of the amounts received or  paid
     out and of  securities received or delivered  for the account of  the Trust
     during  said day and such other statements, including a daily trial balance
     and inventory of the Trust's  portfolio securities; and shall  furnish such
     other financial information and data as from time to time requested by  the
     Treasurer or  any executive  officer of  the Trust; and  shall compute  and
     determine,  as of the close of business of  the New York Stock Exchange, or
     at such  other time  or times  as the  Board may  determine, the net  asset
     value of the Trust  and the net asset value of  each interest in the Trust,
     such computations  and determinations  to be  made in  accordance with  the
     governing documents  of the  Trust and  the votes and  instructions of  the
     Board and of  the investment adviser at  the time in force  and applicable,
     and promptly notify  the Trust  and its investment  adviser and such  other
     persons  as the Trust  may request  of the  result of such  computation and
     determination.   In computing  the net asset  value the  Custodian may rely
     upon security  quotations received  by telephone or  otherwise from sources
     or pricing services  designated by the  Trust by  proper instructions,  and
     may  further  rely upon  information  furnished  to  it  by any  authorized
     officer  of  the  Trust  relative  (a)  to  liabilities  of the  Trust  not
     appearing on its books of account, (b) to the existence, status and  proper
     treatment of  any reserve or  reserves, (c) to  any procedures  or policies
     established  by the Board regarding  the valuation  of portfolio securities
     or other  assets, and (d)  to the value  to be assigned to  any bond, note,
     debenture,  Treasury   bill,  repurchase  agreement,  subscription   right,
     security, participation  interests  or other  asset or  property for  which
     market quotations  are not  readily available.   The  Custodian shall  also
     compute and  determine at such time or times as the Trust may designate the
     portion of each item which has significance  for a holder of an interest in
     the Trust in  computing and determining  its federal  income tax  liability
     including, but not  limited to, each  item of income, expense  and realized
     and unrealized gain or  loss of the Trust which is attributable for Federal
     income tax purposes to each such holder.

                                         -22-
<PAGE>






     5.       Records and Miscellaneous Duties

              The Bank shall create,  maintain and preserve all records relating
     to its  activities and obligations under  this Agreement in such  manner as
     will meet the obligations of the Trust under  the Investment Company Act of
     1940, with particular  attention to Section 31 thereof  and Rules 31a-1 and
     31a-2 thereunder, applicable federal and  state tax laws and any  other law
     or administrative  rules  or procedures  which  may  be applicable  to  the
     Trust.   All  books  of  account and  records  maintained  by the  Bank  in
     connection with  the performance of  its duties under  this Agreement shall
     be  the property  of  the Trust,  shall  at all  times  during the  regular
     business hours of the  Bank be open for inspection  by authorized officers,
     employees or agents  of the Trust, and in the  event of termination of this
     Agreement  shall be  delivered to  the Trust  or  to such  other person  or
     persons as shall  be designated by the  Trust.  Disposition of  any account
     or record  after  any required  period of  preservation  shall be  only  in
     accordance with  specific instructions received  from the Trust.   The Bank
     shall assist  generally in the preparation of reports to holder of interest
     in the Trust,  to the Securities  and Exchange  Commission, including  Form
     N-SAR, and to others, audits of accounts,  and other ministerial matters of
     like nature; and, upon request, shall furnish the  Trust's auditors with an
     attested  inventory of  securities held with  appropriate information as to
     securities  in transit or in the process  of purchase or sale and with such
     other information as  said auditors  may from time  to time  request.   The
     Custodian  shall  also maintain  records  of all  receipts,  deliveries and
     locations of  such securities, together  with a current inventory  thereof,
     and shall conduct periodic verifications (including sampling counts  at the
     Custodian)  of certificates  representing bonds  and  other securities  for
     which  it  is responsible  under  this  Agreement  in  such manner  as  the
     Custodian  shall determine from  time to time to  be advisable  in order to
     verify the accuracy of such inventory.  The Bank shall not disclose or  use
     any  books or  records it  has prepared  or  maintained by  reason of  this
     Agreement in any manner except  as expressly authorized herein  or directed
     by the  Trust,  and  the  Bank  shall  keep  confidential  any  information
     obtained by reason of this Agreement.

     6.       Opinion of Trust's Independent Public Accountants

              The Custodian shall  take all reasonable action, as the  Trust may
     from time to  time request, to enable the Trust to obtain from year to year
     favorable opinions  from the  Trust's independent  public accountants  with
     respect to its activities hereunder  in connection with the  preparation of
     the  Trust's registration  statement  and  Form  N-SAR  or  other  periodic
     reports to  the Securities and Exchange Commission  and with respect to any
     other requirements of such Commission.

     7.       Compensation and Expenses of Bank

              The Bank  shall be  entitled to  reasonable  compensation for  its
     services as Custodian and  Agent, as agreed upon from time to  time between
     the Trust  and the Bank.   The Bank shall  be entitled to  receive from the
     Trust  on demand  reimbursement for  its cash  disbursements,  expenses and

                                         -23-
<PAGE>






     charges,   including  counsel  fees,  in  connection  with  its  duties  as
     Custodian and  Agent hereunder, but excluding  salaries and  usual overhead
     expenses.

     8.       Responsibility of Bank

              So long  as and  to  the extent  that it  is  in the  exercise  of
     reasonable care, the Bank as Custodian and Agent  shall be held harmless in
     acting  upon any notice, request,  consent, certificate or other instrument
     reasonably believed by  it to  be genuine and  to be  signed by the  proper
     party or parties.

              The Bank as Custodian and Agent shall  be entitled to rely on  and
     may  act upon advice of  counsel (who may be counsel  for the Trust) on all
     matters, and shall be without liability for  any action reasonably taken or
     omitted pursuant to such advice.

              The Bank as Custodian  and Agent shall be held to the  exercise of
     reasonable care in carrying  out the provisions of this Agreement but shall
     be liable only for its own negligent  or bad faith acts or failures to act.
     Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  nothing  contained  in this  paragraph  is
     intended to  nor shall it be construed to modify  the standards of care and
     responsibility set forth  in Section 2 hereof with respect to subcustodians
     and in  subparagraph f of Paragraph L  of Section 3 hereof  with respect to
     Securities  Systems and  in  subparagraph g  of  Paragraph M  of  Section 3
     hereof with respect to an Approved Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper.

              The  Custodian shall  be liable  for the  acts or  omissions of  a
     foreign  banking institution to the  same extent as  set forth with respect
     to subcustodians generally  in Section 2 hereof, provided  that, regardless
     of  whether assets  are maintained  in  the custody  of  a foreign  banking
     institution, a foreign  securities depository or a  branch of a U.S.  bank,
     the  Custodian shall  not be  liable for  any loss,  damage, cost, expense,
     liability or  claim  resulting from,  or  caused by,  the direction  of  or
     authorization by  the Trust to maintain  custody of any  securities or cash
     of  the Trust in  a foreign country including,  but not  limited to, losses
     resulting from  nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, acts
     of  war, civil  war  or terrorism,  insurrection,  revolution, military  or
     usurped powers, nuclear fission, fusion or  radiation, earthquake, storm or
     other disturbance of nature or acts of God.

              If  the Trust requires the Bank in any capacity to take any action
     with respect to securities, which  action involves the payment of money  or
     which action  may, in the opinion  of the Bank,  result in the  Bank or its
     nominee assigned to  the Trust  being liable for  the payment  of money  or
     incurring  liability of some  other form, the  Trust, as  a prerequisite to
     requiring the Custodian  to take such  action, shall  provide indemnity  to
     the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to it.

     9.       Persons Having Access to Assets of the Trust

              (i)   No trustee, officer, employee,  or agent of the  Trust shall

                                         -24-
<PAGE>






     have physical access to  the assets of the Trust  held by the Custodian  or
     be authorized  or permitted to withdraw  any investments of  the Trust, nor
     shall  the Custodian deliver  any assets of the  Trust to  any such person.
     No officer or  director, employee or agent  of the Custodian who  holds any
     similar  position  with   the  Trust  or  the  investment  adviser  or  the
     administrator of the Trust shall have access to the assets of the Trust.

              (ii)  Access  to assets of the Trust  held hereunder shall only be
     available  to  duly  authorized  officers,  employees,  representatives  or
     agents of the Custodian or other persons or entities for whose actions  the
     Custodian shall be  responsible to the  extent permitted  hereunder, or  to
     the  Trust's  independent  public  accountants  in  connection  with  their
     auditing duties performed on behalf of the Trust.

              (iii)   Nothing in  this  Section 9  shall prohibit  any  officer,
     employee  or agent of the Trust  or of the investment  adviser of the Trust
     from giving instructions  to the Custodian  or executing  a certificate  so
     long as it does not result  in delivery of or access to assets of the Trust
     prohibited by paragraph (i) of this Section 9.

     10.      Effective   Period,   Termination    and   Amendment;    Successor
              Custodian

              This Agreement  shall become effective as of  its execution, shall
     continue  in  full  force   and  effect  until  terminated  as  hereinafter
     provided, may  be amended at  any time by  mutual agreement of the  parties
     hereto and may  be terminated by either  party by an instrument  in writing
     delivered or mailed, postage prepaid  to the other party,  such termination
     to take  effect not sooner  than sixty  (60) days  after the  date of  such
     delivery or mailing; provided, that the Trust may at  any time by action of
     its Board, (i) substitute  another bank or trust company for  the Custodian
     by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or
     (ii) immediately terminate this Agreement  in the event of  the appointment
     of  a conservator  or receiver  for  the Custodian  by the  Federal Deposit
     Insurance Corporation  or by the  Banking Commissioner of The  Commonwealth
     of Massachusetts or upon the happening of a like event at the  direction of
     an appropriate regulatory  agency or court of competent jurisdiction.  Upon
     termination of  the Agreement,  the Trust shall  pay to the  Custodian such
     compensation  as may be  due as of  the date of such  termination and shall
     likewise   reimburse   the   Custodian  for   its   costs,   expenses   and
     disbursements.

              Unless the  holders  of  a  majority of  the  outstanding  "voting
     securities"  of the  Trust  (as defined  in the  Investment Company  Act of
     1940) vote  to  have  the  securities,  funds  and  other  properties  held
     hereunder delivered  and paid over  to some  other bank  or trust  company,
     specified  in  the vote,  having  not  less  than  $2,000,000 of  aggregate
     capital, surplus  and undivided  profits, as  shown by  its last  published
     report, and meeting such other  qualifications for custodians set  forth in
     the Investment  Company  Act of  1940,  the  Board shall,  forthwith,  upon
     giving or receiving  notice of termination  of this  Agreement, appoint  as
     successor custodian, a  bank or trust company  having such  qualifications.

                                         -25-
<PAGE>






     The  Bank, as Custodian, Agent or otherwise, shall, upon termination of the
     Agreement, deliver  to such successor custodian,  all securities  then held
     hereunder and all funds  or other properties of the Trust deposited with or
     held by  the Bank hereunder and  all books of  account and records  kept by
     the Bank  pursuant to this  Agreement, and all  documents held by the  Bank
     relative thereto.   In the event that no such vote  has been adopted by the
     Holders of Interest  in the Trust and  that no written order  designating a
     successor custodian shall have been delivered to the  Bank on or before the
     date when such termination shall become effective,  then the Bank shall not
     deliver  the securities,  funds and  other properties  of the Trust  to the
     Trust but shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust  company doing
     business  in  Boston,  Massachusetts  of  its   own  selection,  having  an
     aggregate capital,  surplus and  undivided profits,  as shown  by its  last
     published report,  of not less  than $2,000,000, all  funds, securities and
     properties of the Trust held by  or deposited with the Bank, and all  books
     of account and records  kept by  the Bank pursuant  to this Agreement,  and
     all documents held by  the Bank relative thereto.  Thereafter such  bank or
     trust  company  shall   be  the  successor  of  the  Custodian  under  this
     Agreement.

     11.      Interpretive and Additional Provisions

              In connection with the operation of this  Agreement, the Custodian
     and the Trust may from time to  time agree on such provisions  interpretive
     of or  in addition  to the  provisions of  this Agreement as  may in  their
     joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor  of this Agreement.  Any
     such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a  writing signed by
     both  parties  and  shall  be   annexed  hereto,  provided  that   no  such
     interpretive  or  additional provisions  shall  contravene  any  applicable
     federal or state  regulations or any provision of the governing instruments
     of the  Trust.  No interpretive  or additional provisions made  as provided
     in  the preceding  sentence shall  be deemed  to  be an  amendment of  this
     Agreement.

     12.      Notices

              Notices and other writings delivered or mailed postage  prepaid to
     the Trust  addressed to  24 Federal  Street, Boston,  MA 02110  or to  such
     other address as  the Trust  may have designated  to the  Bank, in  writing
     with a  copy  to Eaton  Vance  Management  at 24  Federal  Street,  Boston,
     Massachusetts  02110, or  to  Investors Bank  &  Trust Company,  24 Federal
     Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 with  a copy to Eaton  Vance Management
     at 24 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, shall  be deemed to have
     been properly delivered or given hereunder to the respective addressees.

     13.      Massachusetts Law to Apply

              This  Agreement  shall be  construed  and  the  provisions thereof
     interpreted  under and in  accordance with the laws  of The Commonwealth of
     Massachusetts.

              The  Custodian   expressly  acknowledges  the   provision  in  the

                                         -26-
<PAGE>






     Declaration of  Trust  of the  Trust  (Section 5.2  and 5.6)  limiting  the
     personal  liability of  the Trustees  and officers  of  the Trust,  and the
     Custodian  hereby agrees  that  it shall  have  recourse to  the  Trust for
     payment of  claims or obligations  as between the  Trust and the  Custodian
     arising  out  of  this  Agreement,   and  the  Custodian  shall   not  seek
     satisfaction from any Trustee or officer of the Trust.

     14.      Adoption of the Agreement by the Trust

              The Trust  represents that its Board  has approved this  Agreement
     and has  duly authorized the  Trust to adopt this  Agreement, such adoption
     to  be evidenced  by  a letter  agreement between  the  Trust and  the Bank
     reflecting such adoption,  which letter agreement shall be dated and signed
     by a duly  authorized officer of the  Trust and duly authorized  officer of
     the  Bank.    This  Agreement shall  be  deemed  to  be  duly executed  and
     delivered by  each of  the  parties in  its  name and  behalf by  its  duly
     authorized  officer  as of  the  date of  such letter  agreement,  and this
     Agreement  shall be deemed  to supersede and terminate,  as of  the date of
     such letter agreement, all  prior agreements between the Trust and the Bank
     relating to the custody of the Trust's assets.

                                     * * * * * 































                                         -27-
<PAGE>





















                                TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO

                               -----------------------
                                                      

                              PROCEDURES FOR ALLOCATIONS
                                  AND DISTRIBUTIONS

                                     May 1, 1992    





























                                         -28-
<PAGE>






                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            PAGE

     ARTICLE I--Introduction   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1

     ARTICLE II--Definitions   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1

     ARTICLE III--Capital Accounts

         Section 3.1    Capital Accounts of Holders    . . . . . . . . . . .   4
         Section 3.2    Book Capital Accounts    . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
         Section 3.3    Tax Capital Accounts   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
         Section 3.4    Compliance with Treasury Regulations   . . . . . . .   5

     ARTICLE IV--Distributions of Cash and Assets

         Section 4.1    Distributions of Distributable Cash    . . . . . . .   5
         Section 4.2    Division Among Holders   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
         Section 4.3    Distributions Upon Liquidation of a Holder's
                          Interest in the Trust    . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
         Section 4.4    Amounts Withheld   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5

     ARTICLE V--Allocations

         Section 5.1    Allocation of Items to Book Capital Accounts   . . .   6
         Section 5.2    Allocation of Taxable Income and Tax Loss
                          to Tax Capital Accounts  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
         Section 5.3    Special Allocations to Book and Tax Capital
                          Accounts   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
         Section 5.4    Other Adjustments to Book and Tax Capital
                          Accounts   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
         Section 5.5    Timing of Tax Allocations to Book and Tax
                          Capital Accounts   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
         Section 5.6    Redemptions During the Fiscal Year   . . . . . . . .   8

     ARTICLE VI--Withdrawals

         Section 6.1    Partial Withdrawals    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
         Section 6.2    Redemptions    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
         Section 6.3    Distribution in Kind   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8

     ARTICLE VII--Liquidation

         Section 7.1    Liquidation Procedure    . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
         Section 7.2    Alternative Liquidation Procedure    . . . . . . . .   9
         Section 7.3    Cash Distributions Upon Liquidation    . . . . . . .   9
         Section 7.4    Treatment of Negative Book Capital
                          Account Balance    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9




                                         -i-
<PAGE>









                                    PROCEDURES FOR
                            ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
                                          OF
                                TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO
                                    (the "Trust")
                          ---------------------------------

                                      ARTICLE I

                                     Introduction

              The Trust is treated as a partnership for federal income tax
     purposes. These procedures have been adopted by the Trustees of the Trust
     and will be furnished to the Trust's accountants for the purpose of
     allocating Trust gains, income or loss and distributing Trust assets.  The
     Trust will maintain its books and records, for both book and tax purposes,
     using the accrual method of accounting.

                                     ARTICLE II

                                     Definitions

              Except as otherwise provided herein, a term referred to herein
     shall have the same meaning as that ascribed to it in the Declaration. 
     References in this document to "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" shall be
     deemed to refer to this document in its entirety rather than the article
     or section in which any such word appears.

              "Book Capital Account" shall mean, for any Holder at any time in
     any Fiscal Year, the Book Capital Account balance of the Holder on the
     first day of the Fiscal Year, as adjusted each day pursuant to the
     provisions of Section 3.2 hereof.

              "Capital Contribution" shall mean, with respect to any Holder,
     the amount of money and the Fair Market Value of any assets actually
     contributed from time to time to the Trust with respect to the Interest
     held by such Holder.

              "Code" shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
     amended from time to time, as well as any non-superseded provisions of the
     Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended (or any corresponding provision
     or provisions of succeeding law).

              "Declaration" shall mean the Trust's Declaration of Trust, dated
     May l, 1992, as amended from time to time.

              "Designated Expenses" shall mean extraordinary Trust expenses
     attributable to a particular Holder that are to be borne by such Holder.

              "Distributable Cash" for any Fiscal Year shall mean the gross
     cash proceeds from Trust activities, less the portion thereof used to pay
<PAGE>






     or establish Reserves, plus such portion of the Reserves as the Trustees,
     in their sole discretion, no longer deem necessary to be held as Reserves. 
     Distributable Cash shall not be reduced by depreciation, amortization,
     cost recovery deductions, or similar allowances.

              "Fair Market Value" of a security, instrument or other asset on
     any particular day shall mean the fair value thereof as determined in good
     faith by or on behalf of the Trustees in the manner set forth in the
     Registration Statement.

              "Fiscal Year" shall mean an annual period determined by the
     Trustees which ends on such day as is permitted by the Code.

              "Holders" shall mean as of any particular time all holders of
     record of Interests in the Trust.

              "Interest(s)" shall mean the interest of a Holder in the Trust,
     including all rights, powers and privileges accorded to Holders by the
     Declaration, which interest may be expressed as a percentage, determined
     by calculating, at such times and on such bases as the Trustees shall from
     time to time determine, the ratio of each Holder's Book Capital Account
     balance to the total of all Holders' Book Capital Account balances.

              "Investments" shall mean all securities, instruments or other
     assets of the Trust of any nature whatsoever, including, but not limited
     to, all equity and debt securities, futures contracts, and all property of
     the Trust obtained by virtue of holding such assets.

              "Matched Income or Loss" shall mean Taxable Income, Tax-Exempt
     Income or Tax Loss of the Trust comprising interest, original issue
     discount and dividends and all other types of income or loss to the extent
     the Taxable Income, Tax-Exempt Income, Tax Loss or Loss items not included
     in Tax Loss arising from such items are recognized for tax purposes at the
     same time that Profit or Loss are accrued for book purposes by the Trust.

              "Net Unrealized Gain" shall mean the excess, if any, of the
     aggregate Fair Market Value of all Investments over the aggregate adjusted
     bases, for federal income tax purposes, of all Investments.

              "Net Unrealized Loss" shall mean the excess, if any, of the
     aggregate adjusted bases, for federal income tax purposes, of all
     Investments over the aggregate Fair Market Value of all Investments.

              "Profit" and "Loss" shall mean, for each Fiscal Year or other
     period, an amount equal to the Taxable Income or Tax Loss for such Fiscal
     Year or period with the following adjustments:

                      (i)      Any Tax-Exempt Income shall be added to
              such Taxable Income or subtracted from such Tax Loss; and

                      (ii)     Any expenditures of the Trust for such
              year or period described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the

                                         -3-
<PAGE>






              Code or treated as expenditures under
              Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code pursuant to Treasury
              Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not
              otherwise taken into account in computing Profit or Loss
              or specially allocated shall be subtracted from such
              Taxable Income or added to such Tax Loss.

              "Redemption" shall mean the complete withdrawal of an Interest of
     a Holder the result of which is to reduce the Book Capital Account balance
     of that Holder to zero.

              "Registration Statement" shall mean the Registration Statement of
     the Trust on Form N-1A as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
     Commission under the 1940 Act, as the same may be amended from time to
     time.

              "Reserves" shall mean, with respect to any Fiscal Year, funds set
     aside or amounts allocated during such period to reserves which shall be
     maintained in amounts deemed sufficient by the Trustees for working
     capital and to pay taxes, insurance, debt service, renewals, or other
     costs or expenses, incident to the ownership of the Investments or to its
     operations.

              "Tax Capital Account" shall mean, for any Holder at any time in
     any Fiscal Year, the Tax Capital Account balance of the Holder on the
     first day of the Fiscal Year, as adjusted each day pursuant to the
     provisions of Section 3.3 hereof.

              "Tax-Exempt Income" shall mean income of the Trust for such
     Fiscal Year or period that is exempt from federal income tax and not
     otherwise taken into account in computing Profit or Loss.

              "Tax Lot" shall mean securities or other property which are both
     purchased or acquired, and sold or otherwise disposed of, as a unit.

              "Taxable Income" or "Tax Loss" shall mean the taxable income or
     tax loss of the Trust, determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the
     Code, for each Fiscal Year as determined for federal income tax purposes,
     together with each of the Trust's items of income, gain, loss or deduction
     which is separately stated or otherwise not included in computing taxable
     income and tax loss.

              "Treasury Regulations" shall mean the Income Tax Regulations
     promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time
     to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

              "Trust" shall mean Total Return Portfolio, a trust fund formed
     under the law of the State of New York by the Declaration.

              "Trustees" shall mean each signatory to the Declaration, so long
     as such signatory shall continue in office in accordance with the terms
     thereof, and all other individuals who at the time in question have been

                                         -4-
<PAGE>






     duly elected or appointed and have qualified as Trustees in accordance
     with the provisions thereof and are then in office.

              The "1940 Act" shall mean the U.S. Investment Company Act of
     1940, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations
     thereunder.

                                     ARTICLE III

                                  Capital Accounts 

              3.1.    Capital Accounts of Holders.  A separate Book Capital
     Account and a separate Tax Capital Account shall be maintained for each
     Holder pursuant to Section 3.2 and Section 3.3. hereof, respectively.  In
     the event the Trustees shall determine that it is prudent to modify the
     manner in which the Book Capital Accounts or Tax Capital Accounts, or any
     debits or credits thereto, are computed in order to comply with the
     Treasury Regulations, the Trustees may make such modification, provided
     that it is not likely to have a material effect on the amounts
     distributable to any Holder pursuant to Article VII hereof upon the
     dissolution of the Trust.

              3.2.    Book Capital Accounts.  The Book Capital Account balance
     of each Holder shall be adjusted each day by the following amounts:

              (a)     increased by any increase in Net Unrealized Gains or
     decrease in Net Unrealized Losses allocated to such Holder pursuant to
     Section 5.1(a) hereof;

              (b)     decreased by any decrease in Net Unrealized Gains or
     increase in Net Unrealized Losses allocated to such Holder pursuant to
     Section 5.1(b) hereof; 

              (c)     increased or decreased, as the case may be, by the amount
     of Profit or Loss, respectively, allocated to such Holder pursuant to
     Section 5.1(c) hereof;

              (d)     increased by any Capital Contribution made by such
     Holder; and,

              (e)     decreased by any distribution, including any distribution
     to effect a withdrawal or Redemption, made to such Holder by the Trust.

              Any adjustment pursuant to Section 3.2 (a), (b) or (c) above
     shall be prorated for increases in each Holder's Book Capital Account
     balance resulting from Capital Contributions, or distributions or
     withdrawals from the Trust or Redemptions by the Trust occurring, during
     such Fiscal Year as of the day after the Capital Contribution,
     distribution, withdrawal or Redemption is accepted, made or effected by
     the Trust.

              3.3.    Tax Capital Accounts.  The Tax Capital Account balance of

                                         -4-
<PAGE>






     each Holder shall be adjusted at the following times by the following
     amounts:

              (a)     increased daily by the adjusted tax bases of any Capital
     Contribution made by such Holder to the Trust;

              (b)     increased daily by the amount of Taxable Income and Tax-
     Exempt Income allocated to such Holder pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof at
     such times as the allocations are made under Section 5.2 hereof;

              (c)     decreased daily by the amount of cash distributed to the
     Holder pursuant to any of these procedures including any distribution made
     to effect a withdrawal or Redemption; and

              (d)     decreased by the amount of Tax Loss allocated to such
     Holder pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof at such times as the allocations are
     made under Section 5.2 hereof.

              3.4.    Compliance with Treasury Regulations.  The foregoing
     provisions and other provisions contained herein relating to the
     maintenance of Book Capital Accounts and Tax Capital Accounts are intended
     to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b), and shall be
     interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury
     Regulations.

              The Trustees shall make any appropriate modifications in the
     event unanticipated events might otherwise cause these procedures not to
     comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b), including the
     requirements described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-
     1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(1) and Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). 
     Such modifications are hereby incorporated into these procedures by this
     reference as though fully set forth herein.

                                     ARTICLE IV

                           Distributions of Cash and Assets

              4.1.    Distributions of Distributable Cash.  Except as otherwise
     provided in Article VII hereof, Distributable Cash for each Fiscal Year
     may be distributed to the Holders at such times, if any, and in such
     amounts as shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Trustees.  In
     exercising such discretion, the Trustees shall distribute such
     Distributable Cash so that Holders that are regulated investment companies
     can comply with the distribution requirements set forth in Code
     Section 852 and avoid the excise tax imposed by Code Section 4982.

              4.2.    Division Among Holders.  All distributions to the Holders
     with respect to any Fiscal Year pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof shall be
     made to the Holders in proportion to the Taxable Income, Tax-Exempt Income
     or Tax Loss allocated to the Holders with respect to such Fiscal Year
     pursuant to the terms of these procedures.


                                         -5-
<PAGE>






              4.3.    Distributions Upon Liquidation of a Holder's Interest in
     the Trust.  Upon liquidation of a Holder's interest in the Trust, the
     proceeds will be distributed to the Holder as provided in Section 5.6,
     Article VI, and Article VII hereof.  If such Holder has a negative book
     capital account balance, the provisions of Section 7.4 will apply.

              4.4.    Amounts Withheld.  All amounts withheld pursuant to the
     Code or any provision of any state or local tax law with respect to any
     payment or distribution to the Trust or the Holders shall be treated as
     amounts distributed to such Holders pursuant to this Article IV for all
     purposes under these procedures.  The Trustees may allocate any such
     amount among the Holders in any manner that is in accordance with
     applicable law.

                                      ARTICLE V

                                     Allocations

              5.1.    Allocation of Items to Book Capital Accounts. 

              (a)     Increase in Net Unrealized Gains or Decrease in Net
     Unrealized Losses.  Any decrease in Net Unrealized Loss due to realization
     of items shall be allocated to the Holder receiving the allocation of
     Loss, in the same amount, under Section 5.1(c) hereof.  Subject to Section
     5.1(d) hereof, any increase in Net Unrealized Gains or decrease in Net
     Unrealized Loss on any day during the Fiscal Year shall be allocated to
     the Holders' Book Capital Accounts at the end of such day, in proportion
     to the Holders' respective Book Capital Account balances at the
     commencement of such day.

              (b)     Decrease in Net Unrealized Gains or Increase in Net
     Unrealized Losses.  Any decrease in Net Unrealized Gains due to
     realization of items shall be allocated to the Holder receiving the
     allocation of Profit, in the same amount, under Section 5.1(c) hereof. 
     Subject to Section 5.1(d) hereof, any decrease in Net Unrealized Gains or
     increase in Net Unrealized Loss on any day during the Fiscal Year shall be
     allocated to the Holders' Book Capital Accounts at the end of such day, in
     proportion to the Holders' respective Book Capital Account balances at the
     commencement of such day.

              (c)     Profit and Loss.  Subject to Section 5.1(d) hereof,
     Profit and Loss occurring on any day during the Fiscal Year shall be
     allocated to the Holders' Book Capital Accounts at the end of such day in
     proportion to the Holders' respective Book Capital Account balances at the
     commencement of such day.  

              (d)     Other Book Capital Account Adjustments.  

                      (i)  Any allocation pursuant to Section 5.1(a),
              (b) or (c) above shall be prorated for increases in each
              Holder's Book Capital Account resulting from Capital
              Contributions, or distributions or withdrawals from the

                                         -6-
<PAGE>






              Trust or Redemptions by the Trust occurring, during such
              Fiscal Year as of the day after the Capital Contribution,
              distribution, withdrawal or Redemption is accepted, made
              or effected by the Trust.

                      (ii)  For purposes of determining the Profit,
              Loss, and Net Unrealized Gain or Net Unrealized Loss or
              any other item allocable to any Fiscal Year, Profit,
              Loss, and Net Unrealized Gain or Net Unrealized Loss and
              any such other item shall be determined by or on behalf
              of the Trustees using any reasonable method under Code
              Section 706 and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

              5.2.    Allocation of Taxable Income and Tax Loss to Tax Capital
     Accounts.

              (a)     Taxable Income and Tax Loss.  Subject to Section 5.2(b)
     and Section 5.3 hereof, which shall take precedence over this Section
     5.2(a), Taxable Income or Tax Loss for any Fiscal Year shall be allocated
     at least annually to the Holders' Tax Capital Accounts as follows:

                      (i)      First, Taxable Income and Tax Loss,
              whether constituting ordinary income (or loss) or capital
              gain (or loss), derived from the sale or other
              disposition of a Tax Lot of securities or other property
              shall be allocated as of the date such income, gain or
              loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes solely
              in proportion to the amount of unrealized appreciation
              (in the case of such income or capital gain, but not in
              the case of any such loss) or depreciation (in the case
              of any such loss, but not in the case of any such income
              or capital gain) from that Tax Lot which was allocated to
              the Holders' Book Capital Accounts each day that such
              securities or other property was held by the Trust
              pursuant to Section 5.1(a) and (b) hereof; and

                      (ii)     Second, any remaining amounts at the end
              of the Fiscal Year, to the Holders in proportion to their
              respective daily average Book Capital Account balances
              determined for the Fiscal Year of the allocation.

              (b)     Matched Income or Loss.  Notwithstanding the provisions
     of Section 5.2(a) hereof, Taxable Income, Tax-Exempt Income or Tax Loss
     accruing on any day during the Fiscal Year constituting Matched Income or
     Loss, shall be allocated daily to the Holders' Tax Capital Accounts solely
     in proportion to and to the extent of corresponding allocations of Profit
     or Loss to the Holders' Book Capital Accounts pursuant to the first
     sentence of Section 5.1(c) hereof.

              5.3.    Special Allocations to Book and Tax Capital Accounts.

              (a)     The Designated Expenses computed for each Holder shall be

                                         -7-
<PAGE>






     allocated separately (not included in the allocations of Matched Income or
     Loss, Loss or Tax Loss) to the Book Capital Account and Tax Capital
     Account of each Holder.

              (b)     If the Trust incurs any nonrecourse indebtedness, then
     allocations of items attributable to nonrecourse indebtedness shall be
     made to the Tax Capital Account of each Holder in accordance with the
     requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(iv)(d).

              (c)     In accordance with Code Section 704(c) and the Treasury
     Regulations thereunder, Taxable Income and Tax Loss with respect to any
     property contributed to the capital of the Trust shall be allocated to the
     Tax Capital Account of each Holder so as to take into account any
     variation between the adjusted tax basis of such property to the Trust for
     federal income tax purposes and such property's Fair Market Value at the
     time of contribution to the Trust.

              5.4.    Other Adjustments to Book and Tax Capital Accounts.

              (a)     Any election or other decision relating to such
     allocations shall be made by the Trustees in any manner that reasonably
     reflects the purpose and intention of these procedures.

              (b)     Each Holder will report its share of Trust income and
     loss for federal income tax purposes in accordance with the allocations
     effected pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof.

              5.5.    Timing of Tax Allocations to Book and Tax Capital
     Accounts.  Allocation of Taxable Income, Tax-Exempt Income and Tax Loss
     pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof for any Fiscal Year, unless specified above
     to the contrary, shall be made only after corresponding adjustments have
     been made to the Book Capital Accounts of the Holders for the Fiscal Year
     as provided pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof.

              5.6.    Redemptions During the Fiscal Year.  If a Redemption
     occurs prior to the end of a Fiscal Year, the Trust will treat the Fiscal
     Year as ended for the purposes of computing the redeeming Holder's
     distributive share of Trust items and allocations of all items to such
     Holder will be made as though each Holder were receiving its allocable
     share of Trust items at such time.  All items so allocated to the
     redeeming Holder will be subtracted from the items to be allocated among
     the other non-redeeming Holders at the actual end of the Fiscal Year.  All
     items allocated among the redeeming and non-redeeming Holders will be made
     subject to the rules of Code Sections 702, 704, 706 and 708 and the
     Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

                                     ARTICLE VI

                                     Withdrawals

              6.1.    Partial Withdrawals.  At any time any Holder shall be
     entitled to request a withdrawal of such portion of the Interest held by

                                         -8-
<PAGE>






     such Holder as such Holder shall request.

              6.2.    Redemptions.  At any time a Holder shall be entitled to
     request a Redemption of all of its Interest.  A Holder's Interest may be
     redeemed at any time during the Fiscal Year as provided in Section 6.3
     hereof by a cash distribution or, at the option of a Holder, by a
     distribution of a proportionate amount except for fractional shares of
     each Trust asset at the option of the Trust.  However, the Holder may be
     redeemed by a distribution of a proportionate amount of the Trust's assets
     only at the end of a Fiscal Year.  However, if the Holder has contributed
     any property to the Trust other than cash, if such property remains in the
     Trust at the time the Holder requests withdrawal, then such property will
     be sold by the Trust prior to the time at which the Holder withdraws from
     the Trust.

              6.3.    Distribution in Kind.  If a withdrawing Holder receives a
     distribution in kind of its proportionate part of Trust property, then
     unrealized income, gain, loss or deduction attributable to such property
     shall be allocated among the Holders as if there had been a disposition of
     the property on the date of distribution in compliance with the
     requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e).

                                     ARTICLE VII

                                     Liquidation

              7.1.    Liquidation Procedure.  Subject to Section 7.4 hereof,
     upon dissolution of the Trust, the Trustees shall liquidate the assets of
     the Trust, apply and distribute the proceeds thereof as follows:

              (a)     first to the payment of all debts and obligations of the
     Trust to third parties, including without limitation the retirement of
     outstanding debt, including any debt owed to Holders or their affiliates,
     and the expenses of liquidation, and to the setting up of any Reserves for
     contingencies which may be necessary; and

              (b)     then in accordance with the Holders' positive Book
     Capital Account balances after adjusting Book Capital Accounts for
     allocations provided in Article V hereof and in accordance with the
     requirements described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)
     (ii)(b)(2).

              7.2.    Alternative Liquidation Procedure.  Notwithstanding the
     foregoing, if the Trustees shall determine that an immediate sale of part
     or all of the Trust assets would cause undue loss to the Holders, the
     Trustees, in order to avoid such loss, may, after having given
     notification to all the Holders, to the extent not then prohibited by the
     law of any jurisdiction in which the Trust is then formed or qualified and
     applicable in the circumstances, either defer liquidation of and withhold
     from distribution for a reasonable time any assets of the Trust except
     those necessary to satisfy the Trust's debts and obligations or distribute
     the Trust's assets to the Holders in liquidation.

                                         -9-
<PAGE>






              7.3.    Cash Distributions Upon Liquidation.  Except as provided
     in Section 7.2 hereof, amounts distributed in liquidation of the Trust
     shall be paid solely in cash.

              7.4.    Treatment of Negative Book Capital Account Balance.  If a
     Holder has a negative balance in its Book Capital Account following the
     liquidation of its Interest, as determined after taking into account all
     capital account adjustments for the Fiscal Year during which the
     liquidation occurs, then such Holder shall restore the amount of such
     negative balance to the Trust by the later of the end of the Fiscal Year
     or 90 days after the date of such liquidation so as to comply with the
     requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(3). 
     Such amount shall, upon liquidation, be paid to creditors of the Trust or
     distributed to other Holders in accordance with their positive Book
     Capital Account balances.






































                                         -10-
<PAGE>




                                     AMENDMENT TO
                              MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
                                       between 
                             EATON VANCE HUB PORTFOLIOS 
                                         and
                            INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY

              This Amendment,  dated as  of  October 23,  1995, is  made to  the
     MASTER  CUSTODIAN  AGREEMENT  (the  "Agreement")  between  each  investment
     company advised by  Boston Management and  Research which  has adopted  the
     Agreement  (the  "Trusts")  and  Investors   Bank  &  Trust  Company   (the
     "Custodian") pursuant to Section 10 of the Agreement.

              The  Trusts  and  the Custodian  agree  that  Section  10  of  the
     Agreement shall, as of October 23, 1995, be amended to read as follows:

              Unless otherwise  defined herein, terms  which are  defined in the
     Agreement and used herein are so used as so defined.

     10.      Effective Period, Termination and Amendment; Successor Custodian

              This Agreement shall  become effective as of  its execution, shall
     continue in full force  and effect until  terminated by either party  after
     August 31,  2000 by an instrument  in writing delivered  or mailed, postage
     prepaid to  the other  party, such termination  to take  effect not  sooner
     than sixty (60) days after the date of  such delivery or mailing; provided,
     that  the Trust  may at  any time by  action of  its Board,  (i) substitute
     another  bank or  trust  company  for the  Custodian  by  giving notice  as
     described  above to the Custodian  in the event  the Custodian assigns this
     Agreement to  another party without  consent of the noninterested  Trustees
     of the Trust, or (ii) immediately terminate this Agreement in the event  of
     the  appointment  of a  conservator or  receiver for  the Custodian  by the
     Federal Deposit  Insurance Corporation or  by the  Banking Commissioner  of
     The Commonwealth of Massachusetts or upon the happening of a like event  at
     the direction of  an appropriate regulatory  agency or  court of  competent
     jurisdiction.  Upon termination  of the Agreement, the  Trust shall pay  to
     the Custodian  such compensation  as may  be due  as  of the  date of  such
     termination (and  shall likewise  reimburse the  Custodian  for its  costs,
     expenses and disbursements).

              This  Agreement  may  be  amended  at  any  time  by  the  written
     agreement  of the  parties hereto.   If  a majority  of the  non-interested
     trustees  of  any of  the Trusts  determines  that the  performance  of the
     Custodian has  been unsatisfactory  or adverse  to the  interests of  Trust
     holders of any  Trust or Trusts or that  the terms of the Agreement  are no
     longer  consistent with  publicly available  industry  standards, then  the
     Trust or  Trusts  shall  give  written notice  to  the  Custodian  of  such
     determination and  the Custodian  shall have  60 days to  (1) correct  such
     performance  to  the satisfaction  of  the non-interested  trustees  or (2)
     renegotiate terms which are satisfactory to the non-interested trustees  of
     the Trusts.  If  the conditions of the preceding sentence are  not met then
     the  Trust  or Trusts  may  terminate this  Agreement  on  sixty (60)  days
     written notice.
<PAGE>






              The Board of the Trust shall, forthwith, upon giving or  receiving
     notice of termination  of this Agreement, appoint as successor custodian, a
     bank or trust  company having the qualifications required by the Investment
     Company  Act of 1940  and the  Rules thereunder.   The Bank,  as Custodian,
     Agent or  otherwise, shall, upon  termination of the  Agreement, deliver to
     such successor custodian,  all securities then held hereunder and all funds
     or  other  properties of  the  Trust deposited  with  or held  by  the Bank
     hereunder and all  books of account and  records kept by the  Bank pursuant
     to this  Agreement, and all  documents held by  the Bank relative  thereto.
     In the event that no written order designating  a successor custodian shall
     have  been  delivered  to  the  Bank  on  or  before  the  date  when  such
     termination shall become  effective, then the  Bank shall  not deliver  the
     securities, funds and other properties of the Trust to the Trust but  shall
     have the  right to  deliver to a  bank or trust  company doing  business in
     Boston, Massachusetts  of  its own  selection  meeting the  above  required
     qualifications, all funds, securities and  properties of the Trust  held by
     or deposited with  the Bank, and all  books of account and records  kept by
     the  Bank pursuant to  this Agreement, and all  documents held  by the Bank
     relative thereto.   Thereafter  such bank  or trust  company  shall be  the
     successor of the Custodian under this Agreement.

              Except as  expressly provided  herein, the Agreement  shall remain
     unchanged and in full force and effect.

              IN WITNESS  WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment
     to be executed by  their duly authorized officers,  as of the day  and year
     first above written.


              Alabama Tax Free Portfolio
              Arizona Tax Free Portfolio
              Arkansas Tax Free Portfolio
              Cash Management Portfolio
              Colorado Tax Free Portfolio
              Connecticut Tax Free Portfolio
              Florida Insured Tax Free Portfolio
              Florida Tax Free Portfolio
              Georgia Tax Free Portfolio
              Government Obligations Portfolio
              Growth Portfolio
              Hawaii Tax Free Portfolio
              High Yield Municipals Portfolio
              Investors Portfolio
              Kansas Tax Free Portfolio
              Kentucky Tax Free Portfolio
              Louisiana Tax Free Portfolio
              Maryland Tax Free Portfolio
              Massachusetts Tax Free Portfolio
              Michigan Tax Free Portfolio
              Minnesota Tax Free Portfolio
              Mississippi Tax Free Portfolio
              Missouri Tax Free Portfolio

                                          2
<PAGE>






              National Municipals Portfolio
              New Jersey Tax Free Portfolio
              New York Tax Free Portfolio
              North Carolina Tax Free Portfolio
              Ohio Tax Free Portfolio
              Oregon Tax Free Portfolio
              Pennsylvania Tax Free Portfolio
              Rhode Island Tax Free Portfolio
              South Carolina Tax Free Portfolio
              Special Investment Portfolio
              Stock Portfolio
              Strategic Income Portfolio
              Tax Free Reserves Portfolio
              Tennessee Tax Free Portfolio
              Texas Tax Free Portfolio
              Total Return Portfolio
              Virginia Tax Free Portfolio
              West Virginia Tax Free Portfolio
              Arizona Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio
              California Tax Free Portfolio
              California Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio
              Connecticut Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio
              Florida Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio
              Massachusetts Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio
              Michigan Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio
              National Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio
              New Jersey Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio
              New York Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio
              North Carolina Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio
              Ohio Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio
              Pennsylvania Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio
              Virginia Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio


                                                By:   /s/James L. O'Connor
                                                      ----------------------
                                                        Treasurer


                                                INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY


                                                By:   /s/Michael F. Rogers
                                                      -----------------------









                                          3
<PAGE>




     Eaton Vance Total Return Trust
     24 Federal Street
     Boston, MA   02110
     (617) 482-8260



                                                        September 27, 1993



     Total Return Portfolio
     24 Federal Street
     Boston, MA  02110

     Ladies and Gentlemen:

              With respect to our  purchase from you, at  the purchase price  of
     $100,000, of an  interest (an "Initial Interest") in Total Return Portfolio
     (the  "Portfolio"),  we hereby  advise  you  that  we  are purchasing  such
     Initial Interest for  investment purposes without any present  intention of
     redeeming or reselling.

              The amount  paid by the Portfolio  on any withdrawal by  us of any
     portion of  such Initial  Interest  will be  reduced by  a portion  of  any
     unamortized  organization expenses,  determined by  the  proportion of  the
     amount  of  such  Initial  Interest  withdrawn  to  the  aggregate  Initial
     Interests of  all holders  of  similar Initial  Interests then  outstanding
     after  taking  into account  any  prior  withdrawals  of  any such  Initial
     Interest.

                               Very truly yours,

                               EATON VANCE TOTAL RETURN TRUST
                               on behalf of EV Traditional Total Return Fund
                                                                  


                               By: /s/ James L. O'Connor
                                   ----------------------------
                                   James L. O'Connor, Treasurer
<PAGE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>




     <ARTICLE> 6
     <CIK> 0000912751
     <NAME> TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO
            
     <S>                             <C>
     <PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
     <FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
     <PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
     <INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                      409,461,458
     <INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                     506,035,350
     <RECEIVABLES>                               18,040,868
     <ASSETS-OTHER>                                  11,830
     <OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                         1,749,910
     <TOTAL-ASSETS>                             525,837,958
     <PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                     4,101,362
     <SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
     <OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       66,271
     <TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                          4,167,633
     <SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
     <PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                   425,079,473
     <SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                       96,590,852
     <SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
     <ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
     <OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
     <ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
     <OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
     <ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             0
     <NET-ASSETS>                               521,670,325
     <DIVIDEND-INCOME>                           25,020,308
     <INTEREST-INCOME>                            3,493,504
     <OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
     <EXPENSES-NET>                               4,216,873
     <NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                     24,296,939
     <REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                    16,628,404
     <APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   82,965,652
     <NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                      123,890,995
     <EQUALIZATION>                                       0
     <DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
     <DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
     <DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
     <NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                              0
     <NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                          0
     <SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
     <NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      16,103,433
     <ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
     <ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
     <OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
     <OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
     <GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                        3,772,142
     <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
     <GROSS-EXPENSE>                              4,216,873
     <AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                       503,209,025
     <PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                0
     <PER-SHARE-NII>                                      0
<PAGE>






     <PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                              0
     <PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
     <PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
     <RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
     <PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                  0
     <EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   0.84
     <AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
     <AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
             
<PAGE>

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission