EXHIBIT 9(b)

BROWN & WOOD LLP

ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER

TELEPHONE: 212-839-5300

	September   , 1999

Merrill Lynch Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund of

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      We consent to the filing of our opinion dated October 15, 1991, originally filed on October 17, 1991 as an Exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 33-35987 and 811-4375) of Merrill Lynch Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund of Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, and to the use of our name in the prospectus and statement of additional information constituting parts of Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to such Registration Statement.

	Very truly yours,
	/S/ BROWN & WOOD LLP