In 1877, he was Special Commissioner to Turkey (along with Sir Francis de Winton) to administer the Turkish Compassionate Fund.

This had been initiated by the combined efforts of Baroness Burdett-Coutts, the Ambassador at Constantinople Sir Henry Layard, and his wife, for the relief of victims of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78).

[2] In recognition of his work, he received the Collar and Star of the Order of the Medjidie from Sultan Abdul Hamid II.

In 1879–80, he visited Ireland to assist in organising relief in the distressed districts and largely developed Baroness Burdett-Coutts' scheme for benefiting the Irish fisheries.

[3] Burdett-Coutts died aged 70, in St Pancras, London, while in office, and a by-election was held to replace him.