Summary
This quote suggests a humorous and somewhat lighthearted view of historians. It implies that historians, in their pursuit of understanding the past, often rely on various sources of information and anecdotes from different perspectives. By referring to them as "broad-gauge gossip," it suggests that historians gather knowledge through a wide range of sources, sometimes with differing levels of accuracy or reliability. The quote playfully highlights that historians are constantly seeking to piece together the puzzle of history by navigating through various accounts and interpretations.