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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this registration statement of our report dated January 31,
1994, included in UST Corp.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993,
and to all references to our firm included in this registration statement.
    
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO.
 
Boston, Massachusetts
May 24, 1994