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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the 
Registration Statement (Form S-3), dated April 2, 1996, of State Street Boston 
Corporation for the registration of $500,000,000 of its debt securities and 
preferred stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report 
dated January 10, 1996, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
State Street Boston Corporation incorporated by reference in its Annual Report 
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1995, filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission.


                                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG, LLP

                                                          ERNST & YOUNG, LLP

March 28, 1996
Boston, Massachusetts

