EXHIBIT 23.4





                       CONSENT OF THE CHICAGO CORPORATION

We hereby  consent  to the  summarization  of our  fairness  opinion  letter and
references  to our firm under the  captions  "SUMMARY"  -- Opinion of  Financial
Advisor" and "THE MERGER" and to the  inclusion of such letter as an Appendix to
the Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  which is part of this Registration Statement on
Form S-4 of First  Financial  Corporation.  By giving  such  consent,  we do not
thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of such  Registration
Statement  within the meaning of the term "expert" as used in the Securities and
Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.


THE CHICAGO CORPORATION



Chicago, Illinois
December 8, 1994