BOSTON--Bill Clinton used familiar rhetoric to convey his campaign themes at a huge Quincy Market rally yesterday, part of a New England swing designed to raise money as well as public support.

Hundreds of Harvard students, demonstrating both for and against Clinton, were among a crowd police estimated at 45,000.

According to polls, Clinton enjoyed a comfortable lead in Massachusetts before the rally. A Boston Herald/WCVB-TV poll gave Clinton a 59-27 percent lead over Bush.

But finances, as much as publicity, may have provided the motivation for the late-campaign visit.

After his speech, Clinton attended two fund-raisers--a $100-a-head cocktail party and a $1000-a-plate dinner--which were expected to raise $1.5 million for his campaign.

Clinton delivered his stump speech with a few variations, mainly emphasizing his "vision for America" and a need for change in the White House.

"This could be the greatest age in American history," the Arkansas governor said, urging voters to bring fresh leadership to the presidency. "It is up to you to make it so."

Clinton used the Boston area's abundance of colleges and universities to call attention to his plan for "opening the doors of college education to all Americans."

He said Massachusetts has the "best system of higher education...in the entire Western world."

According to Gregory S. Chernak '93, head of Harvard/Radcliffe for Clinton/Gore, between 400 and 500 undergraduate Clinton supporters made the trek downtown.

Chernak said the rally sent the nominee an important message.

"It shows Bill Clinton how strongly Massachusetts is behind him," Chernak said.

Clinton spoke in front of a set of bleachers that campaign staffers filled with local students, including a large crowdfrom Boston University and a contingent from theClinton (Mass.) High School band.

In addition to promoting his own agenda,Clinton took several jobs at President Bush, mostnotably for declining to debate Clinton last weekin East Lansing, Mich.

"It isn't that he's a bad debater," Clintonsaid. "How do you explain the worst economicperformance in 50 years?"

More than an hour of other speeches precededthe Arkansas governor's 25-minute address.Speakers ranged from new Boston City CouncillorBruce P. Bolling to former Massachusetts Senatorand 1992 presidential candidate Paul E. Tsongas.