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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
  We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be filed on November 27, 1996, and
related prospectus of State Street Boston Corporation for the registration of
923,072 shares of its common 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.
 
                                          Ernst & Young LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
November 26, 1996
